CAIRO (Reuters) - Remarks made by President Donald Trump show that the United States believes in the pivotal role of the Libyan National Army (LNA) in the war against terrorism, Sky News Arabia cited the LNA spokesman as saying on Friday.

Earlier the White House said Trump had discussed “ongoing counterterrorism efforts” by Khalifa Haftar’s forces during a telephone call with the Libyan commander on Monday. Haftar’s forces are pressing a military assault on the capital Tripoli in opposition to Libya’s internationally recognized government.