As Libya's UN-backed government calls for a truce, the prime minister of the rival government in the East gave his views on the conflict in an exclusive interview with CGTN's Guy Henderson in Benghazi. 

ABDULLAH AL THANI PRIME MINISTER, EASTERN-BASED GOVERNMENT "The Libyan army marched to the western region because since this conflict started 8 years ago, the political Islamists have taken complete control. This conflict will continue until we see the the strength of a united Libyan army from all cities come together to unify the country. This step that was taken by the army was necessary and it had to come. If the international community take their hands away and the supportive countries like Turkey stop sending their fleet and their navies to Misrata, the conflict will end soon. The militias would not have the power to resist the army. But with external support, if they give them modern weapons, the conflict will take 8-9 months."