The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, told the Speaker of the Tobruk-based House of Representatives Aqila Saleh on Tuesday that Moscow backed an immediate ceasefire and political talks that would culminate in united governing authorities, according to Reuters.

This change of tone comes hours after the US has publicly condemned Russia's military involvement in Libya and its military support for Khalifa Haftar's forces to fight the internationally recognized Government of National Accord.

The Russian Foreign Minister conveyed the political process and ceasefire message to HoR Speaker Saleh in a phone call, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The US Africa Command military earlier on Tuesday accused Russia of deploying fighter aircraft to Libya to support Russian mercenaries fighting for Haftar's forces, adding to concerns of a new escalation in the conflict.

"The Russian fighter aircraft arrived in Libya, from an airbase in Russia, after transiting Syria where it is assessed they were repainted to camouflage their Russian origin." AFRICOM said, adding that Russia is clearly trying to tip the scales in its favor in Libya.