The Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha and the former Head of the High Council of State Abdelrahman Al-Sweihli have both criticized Presidential Council member Ahmed Mitig for his call on the commander of Sirte-Jufra Liberation Room Ibrahim Baytalmal to halt Sirte attack saying it was a red line for Russia.

The Presidential Council has not commented yet on the incident, while many officials called for legal action against Mitig and even for his resignation.

The Interior Minister said on Twitter that red lines are drawn by the blood of the martyrs and only opportunists accept dictations from others, adding that Sirte will be under the legitimate government as the sacrifices of martyrs since Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous and Volcano of Rage Operation won't be forgotten.

The former HCS Head Abdelrahman Al-Sweihli, who has family relationship to Mitig, said Libyan Army heroes who chased away Haftar's fleeing forces 550 km from Tripoli to Sirte will continue to eradicate rebels from the entire country not only Sirte and Jufra.

"Don't worry about the dubious calls of a person or party who cares about personal gains at the expense of your blood and sacrifices." He added.

Cementing on criticism, Mitig told Libya February TV that his meeting with Russian officials was I'm agreement with the Head of Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sirraj and by his orders, adding that he knows all details of that meeting.

Mitig said Libya is part of an international system and that he had received a message on Saturday and so he passed it to Al-Sirraj as well as military commanders, denying directly ordering a halt of Sirte attack.