The Daily Telegraph has uncovered details of a Chinese plan to send armed drones worth $1 billion to Libya using a shell company based in the UK to bypass the international arms embargo.
According to the report, the plan aimed to deliver up to 92 drones capable of carrying multiple missiles from China to Libya, disguised as COVID-19 aid. This would directly violate the United Nations’ arms embargo. In return, Libya would unload barrels of crude oil to China at a discounted price, with the drone shipment being part of the payment.
The report highlighted that China hopes that arming Libya would expedite the end of the civil war, enabling Beijing to gain influence and establish a foothold in future trade relations with the country.
The investigation, ongoing in Canada, has identified three alleged conspirators involved in negotiating the deal while working at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a UN agency based in Montreal. The Telegraph reviewed emails discussing the plan between 2018 and 2021, which were cited in Canadian court documents. These emails revealed the use of a network of shell companies registered in the UK, Egypt, and Tunisia to carry out the transactions.
The investigation also sheds light on how UK-registered entities were exploited to avoid sanctions, masking payments and international transfers.
A Canadian investigator noted in court documents: “It appears that the Chinese government approved a strategy to help Libya purchase and ship military equipment through companies appointed by the Chinese government to conceal direct involvement by state agencies.”
The Telegraph further mentioned that the plan also involved the company Shanghai Gold Wing Aviation Technology, registered in the UK in May 2016, listing a Chinese national as the project manager. Despite little business activity since its incorporation, the company was central to this covert operation.
The police in Montreal have already charged two men in connection with the alleged conspiracy, including Fatih Ben Ahmed, involved in the oil aspect of the deal, and Mahmoud Mohamed Al-Swaih Saieh, who was reportedly involved in the entire plan. The men worked at ICAO when the negotiations were said to have taken place with the Chinese representative, Kwang Chi Wan.
The Telegraph also detailed that China’s interest in arming Libya was motivated by the desire to accelerate the end of the civil war, thereby allowing China to secure economic benefits once the fighting ceased. This would include gaining access to Libya’s high-quality crude oil, enhancing China’s energy security and expanding its presence in Africa.
Alia Ibrahim, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council specializing in MENA affairs, stated, “The idea is that this could be the first step in a long-term effort to leverage Libya’s resources, economy, and land to further Chinese interests in Africa.”
The article further noted that during the time of these discussions, Haftar was attempting to seize power from the UN-recognized government led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, with drones playing a key role in the conflict. Haftar, who ultimately failed in his efforts, has since been rebuilding his military arsenal.
Jalel Al-Harshawi, a North Africa expert at the Royal United Services Institute, noted that the Haftar family understands that showing strength serves their interests. Haftar is believed to control much of Libya’s key oil assets, due to his ties with the National Oil Corporation’s head, Farhat Ben Qadara. This control enables him to engage in illicit deals with countries like China.
Experts believe the deal under investigation in Canada is just one part of a broader plan between China and Libya to arm Haftar, who is thought to still harbor ambitions of controlling all of Libya with the support of his sons.
The Telegraph also suggested that China, already the world’s largest exporter of drones, may be sending even larger quantities of weapons to other countries in secret. Other similar cases are under investigation in Italy and Spain, raising the likelihood of more Chinese arms shipments to follow.
