Report reveals secret mission

UN EXPERTS have discovered a secret mission of private western forces in Libya, according to a confidential report.

As many as 20 people from Australia, France, Malta, South Africa, Britain and the US were reportedly involved in the mission in support of Libyan General Khalifa Haftar.

They were allegedly supposed to stop Turkish supply ships en route to the coastal capital city Tripoli, and intercept arms supplies meant for opposing forces, the report said.

Oil-rich Libya has been in turmoil since a 2011 revolt toppled long-time dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. It has become a battleground for rival proxy forces.

A power struggle rages between the internationally recognised unity government in Tripoli and Haftar.

Since last April, the eastern forces led by Haftar have been trying to seize Tripoli. The UN has documented foreign mercenaries working there.

It said the arms embargo has also been violated many times, with weapons coming in from among others Turkey, which supports the unity government. The report on the newly discovered mission, said it involved six military helicopters being smuggled from South Africa to Libya and two military boats from Malta last year.

The report names several companies based in the UAE as being primarily responsible, but it does not identify their clients.

The alleged secret mission was aborted for unknown reasons after only a few days. There are no immediate indications that any attacks have actually been carried out.

The UAE is regarded as an important supporter of Haftar.