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Pentagon says about 14 Russian-made warplanes could be on Libya’s territory

Earlier, the US claimed that Russia assisted in redeploying militants from Syria to Libya

© AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File

WASHINGTON, May 27. /TASS/. At least 14 Russian-made military planes could be on the territory of Libya, Chief Pentagon Spokesperson for the Department of Defense Jonathan Hoffman told reporters.

"With regard to the number and types of aircraft <…> it was approximately 14 military fighters, a mix of Su-24s and MiG-29s. Right now, that’s all the information on that that I can share with you," he said, answering to a question about the number of Russian-made aircraft that could possibly be in Libya.

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UN does not rule out that militants from Syria may be sent to fight in Libya

The US urges all parties to the Libyan conflict to stop military actions in the region and give the Libyan people "the defense and security they deserve," the spokesperson said.

Earlier, the United States claimed that Russia assisted in redeploying militants from Syria to Libya. Russia has repeatedly rejected those claims. Earlier, Kremlin dismissed US claims of Russia’s military interference into the Libyan civil conflict as "a fake." Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov rejected claims that "mercenaries" linked to Russia were fighting in Libya.

Currently, Libya has two supreme executive authorities, namely the internationally-recognized Tripoli-based Government of National Accord headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and the interim government of Abdullah al-Thani, seated in the east of the country, along with the elected parliament, which is supported by the Libyan National Army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

The conflicting parties have been fighting for control of the capital city for more than a year after Haftar launched an offensive in early April 2019 to liberate the city, as he put it.

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