Libya government forces 'down' Haftar ammunition cargo plane

The Libyan government has claimed that loyalist forces on Sunday downed a cargo plane carrying ammunition to rebel militia leader Khalifa Haftar, likely to be used in an assault on the capital.

Mohammed Kanunu, the spokesman for the Government of National Accord (GNA) forces defending Tripoli, said that the plane was targeted just as it landed at an airstrip in Tarhuna province, south of the capital.

The GNA claimed that the cargo plane was carrying ammunition to Haftar's forces, Anadolu Agency reported.

Tarhuna has been used as the main forward base for Haftar's militias - the self-appointed Libyan National Army (LNA) - in their assault on Tripoli, under the control of the UN-recognised GNA government.

The LNA claimed that the cargo plane was carrying medical supplies to doctors fighting the coronavirus in Libya, where there have been 18 cases of the disease and one death.

It did not mention any damage to the cargo plane but acknowledged it was targeted by GNA forces.

The UAE has been a strong supporter of Haftar - a former general during Muammar Gaddafi's rule - sending weapons, ammunition and drones to support his offensive on the capital, which began last year.

More than 1,000 people killed in the assault, which has included shelling and bombing of residential areas.

The UN has been trying to establish a ceasefire for the country, but truces have been repeatedly broken by the LNA.