Trump speaks to Libya insurgent General Haftar
Washington: The White House said US President Donald Trump has spoken to Libyan eastern commander General Khalifa Haftar, whose forces are attacking the capital Tripoli.
During Monday’s call, Trump recognised Gen. Haftar’s efforts to combat terrorism and secure Libya’s oil and they discussed Libya’s future, the BBC reported on Friday.
Tripoli is the seat of Libya’s UN-backed and internationally recognised government.
Trump’s call suggests he endorses Gen. Haftar, unlike some of his allies.
More than 200 people have been killed since the fighting began three weeks ago.
On Thursday, the UN-backed Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj condemned the “silence” of his international allies amid the assault by Gen. Haftar’s forces.
Libya has been torn by violence and political instability since long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was deposed and killed in 2011.
The latest crisis started three weeks ago, when Gen. Haftar’s eastern forces descended on the capital in what Serraj has described as an attempted coup.
Gen. Haftar’s troops are advancing from various directions on the outskirts of the city and say they have seized Tripoli’s international airport.
Trump’s and Gen. Haftar “discussed a shared vision for Libya’s transition to a stable, democratic political system”, the White House said.
