US President Donald Trump spoke by phone earlier in the week and discussed “ongoing counterterrorism efforts” with Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, leader of a military assault on the capital Tripoli in opposition to the internationally recognised government.

According to the White House, Trump "recognized the Field Marshal Haftar’s significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya’s oil resources, and the two discussed a shared vision for Libya’s transition to a stable, democratic political system”.

On Thursday, both the United States and Russia said they could not support a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Libya at this time.