Libya’s U.N.-backed government increases defence spending

Libya’s internationally recognised government has allocated 40 million Libyan dinars  for its defence ministry, stepping up spending to fend off an eastern offensive as the war enters a fifth month.

The government also granted each of its soldiers 3,000 dinars as a reward for fighting the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) force of Khalifa Haftar, which started in April a campaign to take Tripoli in western Libya.

Authorities gave no details on the military spending. They had in April budgeted up to 2 billion dinars to cover medical treatment for the wounded, aid for displaced people and other “emergency” war costs.

The government has since received combat drones and trucks from Turkey to match the build-up of the LNA, which enjoys backing from Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, diplomats say.

The government did not say how it plans to fund the defence spending.

Via Reuters