The US calls on Russia and Turkey to stop their actions in Libya and move to measures of diplomatic support and the fight against terrorism, Pentagon spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman told a briefing.
"The US opposes military offensives in this region. We asked all the parties that operate there – the Russians, the Turks and others – to stop their actions there," he said, in particular, adding that now there are allegedly 14 SU- 24 and MiG-29 fighters in Libya, as previously claimed by the African command of the US armed forces (AFRICOM).
Meanwhile, the US does not have no more precise information on this, according to Hoffman.
"We want a safe and stable Libya. We are confident that our mission there is to provide diplomatic and counter-terrorism support and deepen our partnership. We would ask others to take similar actions to give the people of Libya the security and protection they deserve," the Pentagon spokesperson added.
Russia has repeatedly rejected accusations of participation in the Libyan conflict, calling claims about the alleged presence of Russian mercenaries there unfounded. Moscow supports a peaceful settlement of the situation in this country and maintains contacts with both warring parties.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia didn't take sides in the Libyan conflict and put the interests of Libyans first. Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov reported that there were no Russian troops in Libya, and noted that the only possible solution in this country was political and diplomatic communication between all parties to the conflict.
After the overthrow and death of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, Libya has been ruled by a dual power. The East is ruled by the people's elected Parliament, and the West, in the capital Tripoli, - by the Government of National Accord, formed with the support of the United Nations and the European Union. The authorities in the Eastern part of the country operate independently of Tripoli and cooperate with the army of Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
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