Libyan Rebel Commander admits Al-Qaeda links

Libyan Rebel Leader Abdel-Hakim al-Hasisi has admitted that many members of his forces have previously fought against coaliton troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In an interview with Italian newspaper Il Sole 24, al-Hasisi confirmed that a large proportion of his forces consisted of  Islamic fundamentalists and Al Qaeda operatives along with members of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group (LIFG) of which al-Hasisi was previously a commander. Speaking to the newspaper al-Hasisi said that his fighters were good patriots and muslims while adding: "members of al-Qaeda are also good Muslims and are fighting against the invader". In 2007 US forces captured LIFG documents in the town of Sinjar in Afghanistan which revealed that thousands of Libyan fighters had crossed into Iraq & Afghanistan to fight alongside insurgents.

During the interview al-Hasisi also admitted that he had personally fought against US forces in Afghanistan before being captured in the Pakistani border area of Peshwar by Pakistani security forces before being handed over to the US. He was released in 2008.

The revelations will come as an embarrasment to US, British and French forces who had earlier dismissed claims by Gaddafi that the rebels consisted of, or where supported by, Al-Qaeda members and Muslim fundamentalists. It could also place their support for the rebellion in jeopardy.

Meanwhile there have been reports that rebel units have raided Libyan Military bases in the east of the country and managed to acquire a number of heavy weapons including anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missiles, some of which are reported to have been smuggled out of the country.