Libyan rebels sell weapons to Al Qaeda: Report
April 3rd, 2011 - 3:34 am ICT by IANSCairo, April 3 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Rebels who plundered Libyan army depots have sold weapons to Al Qaeda militants in the North African country, an Algerian daily said Saturday.
The militant group has already received heavy weaponry and air defence missiles from the Libyan rebels, the L’Expression newspaper said quoting a source from the Algerian security forces.
It added that if Western nations decide to equip the Libyans, these weapons could also come to the hands of Al Qaeda terrorists.
“Al Qaeda continues to recruit fighters on Libyan territory and is preparing a war against the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi,” the paper said.
The Libyan political crisis, which evolved into military clashes between opponents and supporters of the country’s longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi, began in mid-February. The conflict has already left thousands of people dead and forced many more to flee the country.
The UN Security Council Resolution 1973, adopted March 17, imposed a no-fly zone over Libya and authorized measures to protect civilians from Gaddafi’s forces, but stopped short of authorizing ground operations in the North African country.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
snb
- Libyan rebels ask for weapons, says Italy - Apr 13, 2011
- Gaddafi warns of ending cooperation with EU - Mar 11, 2011
- EU approves possible military operation for Libya - Apr 02, 2011
- France recognises rebel Libyan National Council - Mar 10, 2011
- Gaddafi fears Osama may take control of Libya - Mar 17, 2011
- 'Coalition forces paving rebels' way to Libyan oil facilities' - Mar 27, 2011
- Five Russian journalists set free by Libyan rebels - Apr 09, 2011
- Militants escape from Libyan jails - Aug 26, 2011
- West fears al Qaeda could seize Gaddafi weapons: Report - Aug 24, 2011
- Russia objects to foreign military intervention in Libya - Mar 12, 2011
- Libya to honour UN resolution if NATO ends air strikes: Russia - May 17, 2011
- US stopped 'Gaddafi's deadly advance': Obama (Lead) - Mar 29, 2011
- NATO asks Libya's neighbours for assistance against Gaddafi - Apr 21, 2011
- Algeria moves Gaddafi's family to capital - Sep 03, 2011
- US will not put ground forces in Libya, says Obama - Mar 26, 2011
Tags: air defence, al qaeda, al qaeda militants, algerian security forces, army depots, fly zone, ground operations, libyan army, libyan leader muammar, libyans, militant group, military clashes, muammar gaddafi, political crisis, rebels, ria novosti, security council resolution, snb, un security council, weaponry