UN envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, warned Thursday of a 'widening conflagration', saying strongman Khalifa Haftar had been 'encouraged' by international divisions to launch his offensive on Tripoli. As Libya's UN-backed government calls for a truce - the eastern-based prime minister says the offensive on Tripoli could take up to 9 months. In an exclusive interview with CGTN's Guy Henderson in Benghazi, Abdullah Al Thani, places the blame on outside actors - and takes aim at the UN itself.

GUY HENDERSON CGTN CORRESPONDENT "What if you cut the oil?"

ABDULLAH AL THANI PRIME MINISTER, EASTERN-BASED GOVERNMENT "Cutting oil supplies will lead to a big disaster. More than two thirds of Libya's oil comes from the east and the LNA are the ones controlling the oil. But since I was appointed in October 2014 until this day, we have not received a single cent from the oil income. That goes to the Libyan Central Bank and then they spend it on the militias and all those armed groups. And we borrow money to allow the state to function. The question is: where is the international community? Where is the UN that you mentioned? They see this farce – they see Serraj getting these billions and spending it on the militias. They see the crimes and corruption. They see the illegal prisons. They see the arrest warrants. Why don't they respect the Libyan justice system?"

GUY HENDERSON CGTN CORRESPONDENT "Who is supporting you?"

ABDULLAH AL THANI PRIME MINISTER, EASTERN-BASED GOVERNMENT "Countries are supporting and standing with us. Those fighting political Islam. First, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt. Those countries are standing with us truly. I appreciate the Russian position – they have made brave decisions to balance the situation. France as well. They have a positive position. At least we can consider them as neutral."