ROME: Russia will seek to end an arms embargo against Libya and could supply weapons to Gen. Khalifa Haftar, whose forces support a rival administration to the U.N.-backed “unity” government, the military strongman said Tuesday.

Asked whether he was promised arms during a recent visit to Russia, Haftar said Moscow had told him weapons “can arrive only once the [U.N.] embargo ends.”

But he was assured that “Putin will undertake to revoke it,” he said in the interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera.

The Government of National Accord, based in Tripoli, is recognized by the international community. But Haftar, the controversial head of the so-called Libyan National Army, supports a parallel authority, based in eastern Libya closer to the border with Egypt, that controls much of the country’s oil production.

The bitter divisions in the country are matched by those among the powers pushing for democracy in the conflict-torn country.

Western supporters of the GNA have prioritized the fight against Daesh (ISIS) militants and controlling migration flows from Libya toward Europe.

But another group, which includes Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia, sees Haftar’s forces as the nucleus of a future military, and are suspicious of the Islamist clout in Tripoli.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said last month there had been a “significant shift” in efforts to bring the field marshal to the table.

Haftar said he was open to dialogue with GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj in principle, but it was impossible to talk politics just now.

“We are at war, security issues take precedence. It’s not an opportune time for politics. We need to fight to save the country from Islamist extremists,” he said.

“I began talks with Sarraj two-and-a-half years ago. Without any concrete results.

“Once the extremists have been beaten we can start talking about democracy and elections again. But not now,” he added.

Haftar denied media reports of an upcoming meeting with Sarraj, saying the last time they had spoken directly was in January 2016.

But he admitted: “I have nothing personally against Sarraj. He is not the problem, it’s those around him.

“If he really wants to fight to make peace in the country, he should take up arms and join our ranks. He is always welcome.”

Libya has been mired in chaos since the fall of former dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, with a constellation of militias vying for control of the country.

Haftar complained of countries providing support to the GNA but not the rival Tobruk-based House of Representatives, saying “we expect help from everyone to fight ISIS.

“We would be happy to cooperate with Great Britain, France or Germany. Italy too.”