Libyan Rivals Haftar, Sarraj Reject Demands for Cease-Fire

Haftar tells Macron conditions aren’t there to stop offensive
Sarraj tells Tunisian leader Haftar must withdraw from Tripoli

A fighter loyal to the internationally recognized Libyan government south of Tripoli on May 7, 2019.Photographer: Mahmud Turkia/AFP

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By Gregory Viscusi and Samer Al-Atrush

May 22, 2019 at 5:13 PM UTC

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Chances of a cease-fire in Libya faded further as both strongman Khalifa Haftar and Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj Wednesday rejected calls to stop fighting.

General Haftar ignored requests at a meeting in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron to agree to a cease-fire, arguing that the offensive he launched on Tripoli last month must continue as long as militias control much of the capital. Sarraj said during a meeting with Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi in Tunis that the fight will go on until Haftar’s forces withdraw, according to a statement on his government’s Facebook page.