US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan chatted by phone today as regional tensions threaten to escalate the already volatile situation in Libya.

“President Trump and President Erdogan discussed positive trade issues between the United States and Turkey and underscored our belief in the need for a negotiated settlement of regional issues,” the White House said in a readout of the call.

Why it matters: The Trump-Erdogan call comes as the United States has shown heightened interest in pushing Libya’s warring factions and their foreign backers, including Turkey, to the negotiating table in recent weeks.

On Sunday, the US Embassy in Libya threatened sanctions against “those who undermine the Libyan economy and cling to military escalation” after the Tripoli-aligned National Oil Corporation accused the United Arab Emirates of obstructing the oil exports of the Government of National Accord. Turkey supports the UN-backed Government of National Accord’s forces as they threaten to advance on oil fields in Sirte controlled by the UAE-backed Libyan National Army. Libya’s eastern parliament has also invited Egyptian forces to intervene against the Turkish-backed offensive.