Belarusian MFA continues to deny links with mercenaries in Libya

The spokesman for the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs claims Belarusian citizens signed individual contracts through a private firm in Ukraine.

Three citizens of Belarus are accused by the Libyan authorities by taking part in combat actions on the side of disposed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, an official representative of the Belarusian MFA, Andrei Savinykh, told RIA Novosti reported Wednesday.

“We confirm there are three Belarusian citizens among the foreign citizens standing trial in Tripoli,” he said.

“They are civilians. They signed individual contracts through a private firm in Ukraine,” the Belarusian MFA representative said.

He noted the Belarusian citizens signed contracts for civilian facilities support and did not take part in combat operations. “The embassy in Libya provides all possible assistance to the Belarusians and coordinates its actions with the embassies of Russia and Ukraine, which citizens have met the same situation,” Savinykh said.

“We are doing our best seeking for acquittance of the Belarusian citizens and their return home,” he added.

Mass anti-governmental demonstrations, which resulted in an armed  stand-off, began in Libya over a year ago. In February, the opposition formed the Transitional National Council which was declared the  only legitimate authorities in the country. On March 17, 2011, the UN Security Council authorized military intervention in Libya to protect civilians from harm.

It gave NATO an opportunity to carry out air operations. As a result, Muammar Gaddafi, who had ruled the country for over 40 years, was ousted. He died trying to hide from the opposition. The NATO operation in Libya ended on October 31, 2011.

Thousands were killed and country's economy suffered huge losses during the combat operations between supporters of the regime and the opposition forces.