LibyaPolitics

US official: Haftar controls 80% of Libya

The US State Department’s assistant secretary for near eastern affairs David Schenker said the General Commander of the Libyan National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar controls 80% of Libya.

“We are engaged in trying to find a diplomatic solution. We as a matter of policy talk to everyone. Haftar has armor and significant forces under his control.” Schenker told CNN.

He warned against the Russian presence in Libya, saying significant numbers of Russian troops are in Libya.

Schenker also linked the presence of Russians to possible increase of numbers of casualties, despite the fact that there is no official evidence that the Russians are on Libyan territory.

The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the US was trying to accuse his country of the conflict in Libya although it is in contact with both parties.

Lavrov told reporters on Wednesday that the US is adopting a new approach, that is; accusing Russia of all mistakes in Libya although the US is meeting with the same figures Russia is working with.

He said Russia is not trying to isolate any party and isn’t depending on any political force, but rather it is urging all parties in Libya to resort to negotiations.

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