Trump discusses 'shared vision' with Libya's Haftar

By Michael Hernandez</p> <p>WASHINGTON (AA) – U.S. President Donald Trump discussed &quot;ongoing counterterrorism efforts&quot; and the need to end hostilities with Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar during a telephone call earlier this week, the White House said Friday.</p> <p>The call Monday comes amid a simmering conflict in the North African nation after Haftar, commander of forces loyal to Libya’s eastern government, launched a campaign to capture Tripoli where a rival UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) is headquartered.</p> <p>&quot;The President recognized Field Marshal Haftar’s significant role in fighting terrorism and securing Libya’s oil resources, and the two discussed a shared vision for Libya’s transition to a stable, democratic political system,&quot; the White House said in a readout of the call. </p> <p>Intermittent fighting near Tripoli has left scores of people dead.</p> <p>The UN fears this new conflict will create another migration crisis.</p> <p>Libya has remained locked in turmoil since longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in a bloody NATO-backed uprising in 2011.</p> <p> The country has since seen the emergence of two rival seats of power: one in eastern Libya, to which Haftar is affiliated, and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN recognition.<br>