TRIPOLI, Libya

Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Elmangoush on Thursday condemned Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine as a violation of international law.

"We strongly condemn the military attack in Ukraine by Russia, which is a violation of international law," Elmangoush tweeted.

The Libyan minister went on to call on Moscow “to calm and retreat.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin early Thursday announced a military intervention in Ukraine, just days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine. The recognition of Donetsk and Luhansk drew international condemnations and announcements of tougher sanctions on Moscow.

There were reports of explosions in several Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv, and several military vehicles reportedly crossed the border from Belarus into Ukraine.

In recent months, Putin has amassed over 100,000 Russian troops around Ukraine, but repeatedly denied any intention of invading.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar