UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Libya is pleading with the international community to help it stand up to Islamist-allied militias that have taken control of government buildings, saying the U.N. must impose sanctions or risk a terrorist expansion throughout North Africa.

Ageila Saleh Eissa, president of the House of Representatives, addressed the U.N. General Assembly on Saturday after weeks of fighting among rival militias in Libya forced nearly a quarter-million people to flee their homes.