‘What we need through General Haftar’s support is in building democratic stability in the region,’ US Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan says
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US President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Khalifa Haftar, the White House revealed Friday, as the Libyan warlord’s forces continued to push toward the heart of Tripoli with heavy shelling in the southern parts of the Libyan capital. A White House statement said Trump "recognized Field Marshal Haftar’s significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya’s oil resources, and the two discussed a shared vision for Libya’s transition to a stable, democratic political system". It was unclear why the White House waited several days to announce the phone call, which took place on Monday. Europe and the Gulf have been divided over a push by Haftar's forces to seize Tripoli.