A CONFERENCE of 23 nations met in Rome yesterday to discuss how to stop Islamic State (Isis) taking over in Libya — although none seemed keen on a second war in the north African nation.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said the last thing anyone wanted was “a false caliphate with access to billions of dollars in oil revenue.”

He said the US and its European and Arab partners should increase security training and help Libya’s military “not just to clear territory, but to create a safe environment for the government to stand up and operate.”

Libya, once Africa’s most prosperous nation, descended into anarchy and bloodshed after 2011’s Nato-backed overthrow of the Gadaffi dictatorship.

Two rival governments in the east and west of the country have failed to agree on a unity deal, while Isis gains ground in centre.