NYT: US missiles found with Haftar’s forces in Libya were sold to France in 2010

“French adviser, who under his government’s policy was not authorized to be identified by name to discuss the issue, said the weapons were among those that were bought from the United States in 2010, and were intended to protect French troops deployed in Libya for intelligence and counterterrorism operations.” The New York Times has reported.

It added that two United States officials said the State Department briefed House and Senate foreign relations committees on Monday about its conclusion that the missiles were sold to France.

“The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the classified briefing. Spokesmen for the congressional committees and the State Department declined to comment.” It explained.

The New York Times indicated that the issue will almost certainly be raised on Wednesday when the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hears testimony from R. Clarke Cooper, the assistant secretary of state in the bureau of political-military affairs.

The American newspaper added that such a revelation left many questions unanswered about how the weapons ended up in Haftar’s “rebel compound” near the front lines of a battle that the United Nations said on Thursday has led to over 1,000 deaths since April, including 106 civilians.