UN envoy for Libya in Tunis for talks

Salame was "continuing his efforts to advocate de-escalation in Libya," Stephane Dujarric, the UN spokesman said.

The forces of warlord Khalifa Haftar have been pressing an offensive against the country's UN-recognised national unity government led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.

With Haftar's forces approaching the gates of Tripoli, Egypt has called a summit of African leaders in Cairo on Tuesday as part of an attempt to stem the Libyan crisis.

On Friday, the White House disclosed that US President Donald Trump spoke with Haftar on April 15, in a sign of US support that undercut Salame's and the UN's position in Tripoli.

Dujarric was unable to say whether Salame would attend the Cairo meeting or when he would be back in Libya.

He told reporters Salame and Jhinaoui agreed that "the UN facilitator political process is the only way to solve the Libyan crisis."

"The government of Tripoli continues to be recognised by the United Nations," Dujarric said.