Moscow(ANN)-Russia has announced that it does not support Libyan General Khalifa Haftar in his battle to control Tripoli, in the west of Libya.

Spokesman for the Russian Kremlin, Demetri Peskov, told journalists yesterday that Russia does not support those forces in the east of Libya, which are led by General Haftar in his battle to control Tripoli, adding: “We do not have any part in this battle.”

Haftar has recently started moving his troops towards Tripoli, claiming he wants to gain control of the city for the “dignity” of Libya. Russian involvement was expected because of Haftar’s visit to Russian capital Moscow prior to the start of his military campaign.

Armed groups in Tripoli said they would continue their defence of the country for the sake of martyrs and their families.