US nationality holder Libyan Genaer Haftar, who agreed for a ceasefire on Tuesday left Moscow without signing

any agreement. UN-recognised government, headed by Fayez al-Sarraj,  and General Haftar were in Moscow on Monday for talks. It was a setback for an international diplomatic push by Turkey as Germany and Russia were interested in signing of ceasfire agreements in their countries.

Earlier, Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, warned he would “teach a lesson” to Haftar if his forces resumed fighting.

The two sides agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Turkey and Russia that took effect from 12 January and were in Moscow to sign a long-term agreement. But after seven hours of negotiations, only Sarraj had signed up to the agreement while Haftar’s delegation left without signing the deal.

“We will pursue our efforts in this direction. For now, a definitive result has not been achieved,” the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said at a press conference in Sri Lanka.

General Haftar had reservations as according to him the agreement did not spell out a timeline for disbanding groups allied with Sarraj’s Government.

Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reacted angrily, saying in a televised speech: “We will not hesitate to teach a deserved lesson to the putschist Haftar if he continues his attacks on the country’s legitimate administration and our brothers in Libya.”