The United States called Thursday for a UN-led ceasefire on Libya, distancing itself from a proposal by ally Egypt, and voiced alarm about the toll on civilians as the tide of war turns. Egypt — a main backer of strongman Khalifa Haftar, who is losing ground to the UN-recognized, Turkish-backed government — has proposed a truce in which “foreign mercenaries” would leave and militias would disband and disarm. David Schenker, the top US diplomat for the Middle East, voiced appreciation to Egypt, saying it was “productive to have more unity in Libya.”
