Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar

The head of US forces in Africa told reporters on Friday there was an “undeniable” link between Russia and powerful Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, something likely to add to US concerns about Moscow’s deepening role in Libya.

Earlier this month Reuters reported that Russia appeared to have deployed special forces to an air base in western Egypt near the border with Libya.

Russia denied the report.

When asked about the presences of Russian troops in Libya, Marine General Thomas Waldhauser, the top US military commander overseeing troops in Africa, said “there are Russians on the ground in the area,” adding that Russia’s attempts to influence Libya were concerning.