Days after Egypt reconciled the warring factions of Libya, forces commanded by the country’s military strongman, Khalifa Haftar, say they have launched an offensive act to seize two key oil terminals in the east of the country.

According to Ceoafrica, Haftar is opposed to the United Nations-backed government in Tripoli.

Two spokesmen said that ground, sea and air forces were taking part in the twin attack to retake Ras Lanuf and al-Sidra, which they lost earlier this month to a rival group called the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB).

However, the BDB's media arm has dismissed reports of the offensive as rumours.

Libya has been suffering from lawlessness and infighting since the overthrow of Colonel Gaddafi in 2011.