AFRICOM Commander Gen. Stephen Townsend has warned that security in northern Africa has become a source of concern as the conflict in Libya rages because of Russia's intervention.
Townsend said he had discussed with Tunisian Defense Minister Emad Al-Hazqi in a telephone call the need to ensure broader regional security as violence continued in Libya.
The military commander indicated that he is looking for new ways to address mutual security concerns with Tunisia, in light of the growing concern about regional security in North Africa with Russia continuing to fuel the conflict in Libya.
The US military official affirmed his country's commitment to work with its African partners to confront common challenges, in light of the continuing threats by those who called them terrorist networks and malicious actors.
German concern
In political developments as well, the German Foreign Ministry expressed its deep concern about the escalation of military operations in Libya during the recent period, and said that the parties to the Libyan conflict are not convinced of political solutions, "although the crisis there can only be resolved through a political process."
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Adebar said that after the National Accord government agreed to the ceasefire proposals, Haftar presented his proposals on this and preparing for the Libyan-Military Joint Committee talks.
The German official expressed the hope that the Security Council will extend the decision to ban the supply of weapons to Libya during the council's meeting in June.
In a related context, the Russian Information Agency quoted Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova as saying on Friday that the situation in Libya is deteriorating, and that the cease-fire there is falling apart.
And Interfax quoted the Russian spokeswoman as saying that external assistance to the parties to the conflict changed the balance of power on the ground in Libya, and added that her country continues its contacts with all the conflicting Libyan parties.
It quoted Zakharova as saying that Russia insists on resolving the Libyan conflict through diplomatic means, considering that further delay threatens serious consequences.