According to a report in April, the United Nations is probing allegations that the United Arab Emirates shipped weapons to support a Libyan warlord’s factions, in violation of an international arms embargo, a key official told The Independent.
The UN has been investigating numerous allegations of arms shipments to either of the two sides in the years-long Libyan conflict.
But coming under particular scrutiny by international officials and Libya experts are allegations that the UAE, an ally of the UK, US, and France, shipped weapons to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar even after the self-styled field marshal declared the head of the UN-backed authority in Tripoli, Fayez al-Sarraj, a “terrorist” and issued a warrant for his arrest and other civilian officials.
Haftar launched a surprise attack on Tripoli on 4 April after making quick gains against militias ruling the country’s lawless south.
The conflict has already displaced 18,000 people and left at least 147 people dead, including civilians.
