Libyan general leaves Moscow without signing truce to end conflict

Moscow, Jan 14 (Prensa Latina) The chief of the so-called National Libyan Army (NLA), General Halif Haftar, left the Russian capital on Tuesday without signing an agreement to end hostilities with the National Conciliation Government (NCG), local media reported.

Haftar explained that the draft agreement ignored several demands from the NLA, the TV channel Al Arabiya reported, according to TASS news agency.

During the talks, which lasted more than eight hours on Monday at the Protocol Center of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Haftar insisted on the entry of his troops in Tripoli to establish a National Unity Government, reported Sky News Arabia, which was quoted here.

According to the NLA chief, the new Libyan government should then have a vote of confidence in Parliament, which is meeting in the city of Tobruk, while the end of hostilities should be supervised internationally, except for Turkey.

Likewise, Haftar demanded the exit from Libya of what he called mercenaries from Syria and Turkey, whose Parliament approved sending regular forces to support the National Conciliation Government of Prime Minister Fayez-al Sarraj, who was recognized by the United Nations.

Russian media speculate that Halftar is supported by the United States in his offensive to take over control of Tripoli, which was launched in April 2019.

A few days ago, his troops occupied the port city of Sirte, the birthplace of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.