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France stresses support for Al-Sarraj gov't in Libya

PARIS, April 25 (KUNA) -- The French Foreign Ministry on Thursday expressed support for the Libyan National Accord Government led by Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj, noting it is the only executive recognised on an international level.
France has been accused by Al-Sarraj of supporting his main rival and Libyan strongman "Field Marshall" Khalifa Haftar, who launched an attack on April 4 on the capital, Tripoli, in an effort to unseat the Prime Minister.
France denies supporting Haftar and says it is in contact with all the warring parties in Libya.
"Over the past weeks, France has several times expressed its support for the National Accord Government of (Al) Sarraj, which is the only one recognised by the international community in the framework of the political process in Libya," French spokeswoman Agnes von Der Muhll said in a briefing.
She added that France "calls for a cease-fire and the resumption of dialogue without delay under the authority of the United Nations, with a view to a political solution." The allegations that France could be supporting the Haftar faction in Libya has led to a rise in tensions with Italy, which has staunchly backed the government of Al-Sarraj.
Haftar's assault on Tripoli has killed almost 300 people and wounded close to two thousand others and it is creating a crisis for foreign migrants held in Libya and also seriously affecting the civilian population. (end) jk.gb