Last Updated: Libya Conflict: Foreign Mercenaries Ignore UN's Libya Exit Deadline Under Fragile Truce Russian-backed mercenaries Wagner were seen digging an enormous trench across Libya, stirring suspicion about the long-term goals of the Kremlin ally. Foreign factions in Libya on January 23 displayed reluctance to abide by the UN-brokered peace agreement that called for their complete withdrawal by early Saturday. Instead, the Russian-backed mercenaries Wagner were seen digging an enormous trench across Libya, stirring suspicion about the long-term goals of the Kremlin ally. United Nations-led Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) had brokered a truce, agreeing on temporary executive authority mechanism itching closer to diplomatic dialogues and conflict resolution in the aftermath of the fall of the ousted Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi who was captured at Sirte by rebels and shot. On January 22, LPDF negotiated a peace deal with the warring sides, brokering a cease-fire between the internationally recognized government and warlord Khalifa Haftar on the pretext of temporary political administration.