The former official for north African affairs in the US State Department, William Lawrence has said that the number of Russian mercenaries in Libya has doubled in recent weeks from 200 to 1,400 fighters.

Lawrence said on AlJazeera channel that the Russians have took command of many aspects of Haftar's military operations, which raised Washington's fears of growing Russian influence in Libya.

He explained that the US is keen on a united Libya, pointing out that it would ask Haftar's allies, such as France, Egypt, and the UAE, to renounce their support for Haftar.

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