President Barack Obama directed his national security advisers Thursday to counter efforts by Islamic State to expand into Libya and other countries.
The president emphasized that the United States will continue to counter IS terrorist plotters in any country where it is necessary.
Obama's concerns regarding IS influence in Libya were shared by U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter earlier Thursday.
At a Pentagon news conference, Carter said Islamic State fighters are trying to "consolidate their own footprint'' in Libya by setting up training sites, drawing in foreign recruits and raising money through taxes.
Carter said IS must not be permitted to follow the formula it used in Iraq and Syria to capture large amounts of territory.
The president said the United States will continue to counter IS terrorist plotters, especially in areas like Libya with limited or poor governance where IS tries to find safe havens.