Algeria and Zimbabwe have sent troops to support Libya's Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in his war against the rebels according to the daily The International Business Times.
Pondering the reasons for the survival of the Libyan colonel after the severe sanctions imposed against his regime, including the freezing of his assets and the defection of many of his senior officials, the newspaper writes that several reports have confirmed that "soldiers from Algeria and Zimbabwe are actively fighting "on behalf of Gaddafi".

Several media reports focused their coverage on the Libyan rebels and the claims conveyed by the former chief of protocol under Gaddafi that Libya's embattled government has recruited mercenaries from Kenya, Chad, Niger and Mali after losing control of the army, other reports have shown that these mercenaries were a small part of the forces of Gaddafi, the newspaper reported. Citing sources in Harare, the Business Times reported that Zimbabwe has sent over 500 soldiers to support Gaddafi in Libya, its longtime ally.

Other reports have mentioned the involvement of Algeria in the conflict through its support of the colonel, adds the times, noting that the Algerian group of human rights (Algeria Watch / based in Germany) published a report that "the Algerian government provided Gaddafi with material assistance in the form of armed military units." "Algeria Watch also accused the Algerian government of providing aircraft for the transport of mercenaries from Niger, Chad and Darfur to Libya, the times said.

"The use of mercenaries has been used as cover to divert attention and hide the alliances between Libya and other African countries", writes the times, before concluding that Gaddafi could not have survived without a assistance from some neighboring countries.

By Staff reporter and agencies

Comments(1):

1. Supporting Gaddafi's War is not the Solution

   Iam of the opinion that giving military support to Gaddafi will not solve the problem of the Libyan people but will further complicate an otherwise crumbling Libyan military superstructure.Africa need to stand by the Libyan people who are calling for assistance from the continent.

   Monday, June 13, 2011 Bokang