The UN said Friday that cease-fire talks in Libya began on June 3, with the UN support mission and Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar's forces operating in the east of Libya.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media.

At a twice-weekly press conference, UN Information Services Director Alessandra Vellucci answered a question from Anadolu Agency about the talks.

Citing the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) communications chief, Vellucci said the initial talks were held between UNSMIL and Haftar's delegation.

"He said that the talks were happening as they had mentioned, and because of COVID-19, the talks are virtual. They started on June 3," said Vellucci.

After the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011,Libya's government was founded in 2015 under a UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long-term political settlement failed due to the military offensive by Haftar’s forces.