The United States urged on Sunday Khalifa Haftar's forces to stop military operations in Tripoli and return to "the status quo positions."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement that the US is deeply concerned about fighting near Tripoli and urges for an immediate halt to these military operations against the Libyan capital.

"We have made clear that we oppose the military offensive by Khalifa Haftar's forces on Tripoli. Forces should return to status quo ante positions." The statement reads.

"All involved parties have a responsibility to urgently de-escalate the situation, as the UN Security Council and G7 ministers emphasized on April 5." The statement adds.

It indicated that Haftar's unilateral military campaign against Tripoli is endangering civilians and undermining prospects for a better future for all Libyans.

"There is no military solution to the Libya conflict. This is why the United States continues to press Libyan leaders, together with our international partners, to return to political negotiations mediated by UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salame." The statement further adds.

Pompeo's statement says a political solution is the only way to unify Libya and provide a plan for security, stability, and prosperity for all Libyans.

This comes as Russia has reportedly prevented a UN Security Council statement demanding Haftar halt his offensive on Tripoli, diplomatic sources said.

They added that Russia's representatives at the UN Security Council wanted to amend the statement to become a call on all sides in Libya to stop the fighting.

And as Security Council's statements are issued by a unanimous manner, Russia voted it down after the US had rejected its amendment, the sources said.

A closed emergency session was held by the UN Security Council on Friday and called on Haftar's forces - without naming them - to stop Tripoli offensive.