Ean Libya news website reported a European source as saying that the UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame was pressured by France in order to meet with Khalifa Haftar in Al-Rajma, near Benghazi, especially after he became a political outcast in western Libya and by the Head of the Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sirraj.

The website also added that Salame doesn't consider the Cyrenaica Society - formed in May to represent eastern Libya as its members reject Haftar's war on Tripoli - an alternative to Haftar in the political process as it has no power on the ground.

Salame met Saturday in Al-Rajma with Haftar and discussed the reasons that led to the war on Tripoli and the consequent humanitarian crisis in the capital.

UNSMIL said on Twitter that Salame and Haftar discussed also ways possible to reach a transition to a political solution in Libya.

Salame also met with several elders and notables of eastern Libya - staunch followers of Haftar - in Benghazi and told them of the UNSMIL's willingness to have a wider presence in the eastern region.

UNSMIL said on Twitter that the tribal elders called on the UN to work towards achieving a fair distribution of Libyan wealth and discussed ways to find a solution to the Libyan crisis and steer the country back towards stability, security and prosperity.

Many in Tripoli and other western region cities have been calling for considering Salame a persona non grata and urging the UN to replace him, saying he has been an agent for France and the UAE in Libya, thus accusing him of backing up Haftar's war on Tripoli.