LIBYAN commander General Khalifa Haftar said that the fragile ceasefire had ended yesterday and vowed that war between the country’s two rival governments would continue.

He leads the Libyan National Army (LNA) which controls large swathes in the east of the country and has ordered his troops to advance on the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) which is based in the capital Tripoli.

Peace talks took place between Gen Haftar and his GNA counterpart Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj in Moscow on Sunday, mediated by Russia and Turkey. But the LNA commander refused to sign the deal.

In anticipation of the deepening of the conflict, Turkey has mobilised 2,000 jihadists from the Free Syrian Army — now known as the Syrian National Army — to assist the GNA.

An initial deployment of 300 fighters were sent to Libya on December 24 and were joined by an additional 300 on December 29.

At least 1,350 entered Turkey from Syria on January 5, with many still in the south of the country receiving training.

This followed last month’s announcement when Ankara agreed to send troops to back Mr Sarraj, drawing sharp criticism from the international community.

The mercenaries have signed contracts with the GNA and have been promised Turkish citizenship.