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France sent arms to bolster Libyan rebels
PARIS/MISRATA, Libya - France said on Wednesday it had airlifted weapons to Libyas rebels this month, the first time one of the NATO countries bombing Libya has openly acknowledged arming the insurgents seeking to topple Muammar Gaddafi.A French military spokesman confirmed the delivery of weapons after Le Figaro newspaper cited unnamed sources as saying France had parachuted rocket launchers, assault rifles, machine guns and anti-tank missiles into the western mountains. There were humanitarian drops because the humanitarian situation was worsening and at one point it seemed the security situation was threatening civilians who could not defend themselves, armed forces spokesman Thierry Burkhard said. France therefore also sent equipment allowing them to defend themselves, comprising light weapons and munitions, he said, adding that the drop also included medicine and food. The move may violate a U.N. arms embargo. A U.N. diplomat familiar with the work of the Security Council committee that oversees enforcement of sanctions on Libya said providing arms to any group in the country could constitute a violation. I dont know the details, but it sounds like this would be a violation, the diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity. Le Figaro said Frances decision to send arms had been taken without consulting NATO partners. It quoted a high-level source saying there was no other way to proceed. There was no immediate rebel comment to the news. Frances allies reacted cautiously. We as NATO are not engaged in this kind of activity, although it is also well known that there are nations that are doing this so it is not up to me to comment or judge, Admiral Giampaolo Di Paola, head of NATOs military committee, told reporters in Brussels. Britain, alongside France one of the most active members of the coalition behind the bombing, acknowledged the French move raised questions in the light of a U.N. mandate which justifies the operation in terms of reducing civilian casualties. It does raise quite a few issues, not least the United Nations resolution, although in some circumstances clearly that could be justified, British Minister for International Security Gerald Howarth told reporters. But it is very much a matter for France and no criticism of France (is) intended therein. But its not something we shall be doing, he added. Britain has given the rebels items such as body armour in the past, but has always made a point of saying the aid it gave was non-lethal. Posted by: Steve White 2011-06-30 |
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