The United States announced that it was investigating reports that American weapons were found in the Libyan town of Gharyan, which was recently captured by the Government of National Accord (GNA) from the advancing forces of the Libya National Army (LNA).
"We take all allegations of misuse of US origin defense articles very seriously. We are aware of these reports and are seeking additional information," a State Department spokesperson said on condition of anonymity.
Four Javelin missiles were found at a base in Gharyan.
"We expect all recipients of US origin defense equipment to abide by their end-use obligations."
Fayez al-Sarraj’s GNA said that the weapons were found in boxes bearing the name of the Raytheon and Lockheed Martin companies.
The GNA also released images of what it described as LNA “mercenaries”, saying they were captured during the operation to “liberate Gharyan.”
Separately, the GNA championed Turkey on Sunday in its media and political campaign against LNA commander, Khalifa Haftar, as the army declared that Ankara’s assets in Libya were “legitimate targets.”
The GNA said it has “firm” means to respond to Haftar’s threat against Turkey.
The Tripoli-based Presidential Council said that the LNA threats were an attempt to “justify the loss of Gharyan.”
“Any attack against our friends, starting with the Turks, will harm our national security and will be confronted with full force,” it vowed.
Authorities in the parallel government in eastern Libya kicked off an economic boycott of Turkish goods in protest against Ankara’s “flagrant” meddling in the country’s affairs.
On Sunday, Haftar's war information division said on Facebook that the LNA destroyed a Turkish drone at Tripoli's Mitiga military air base.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry also said in a statement that six Turkish citizens were being held by LNA forces, and that they would become a "legitimate target" if the captives were not released immediately.
