The US State Department’s assistant secretary for near eastern affairs, David Schenker, said meetings between US officials and the commanderof the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar, have long taken place, saying they dealing with LNA General Commander at higher levels.
Schenker told CNN that US officials underscored to Haftar the United States’ full support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya and expressed serious concern over Russia’s exploitation of the conflict at the expense of the Libyan people.
This statement comes as the US concern is growing regarding Russian involvement in Libya as Schenker accused Russia of destabilizing Libya by deploying troops in southern Tripoli.
Schenker said the growing military activity of Russia in Tripoli undermines the political process and destabilizes the country, causing more civilian casualties in the war in Tripoli between Libyan National Army and Government of National Accord forces.
US officials discussed this Russian intervention with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar amid calls to end the war by a political solution, Schenker said, adding that LNA forces control about 80% of Libyan territory.
