Erik Prince, former head of security contractor Blackwater, sent weapons to a Libyan militia leader in violation of a United Nations arms embargo.
A confidential UN report sent to the Security Council and obtained by The New York Times shows that in 2019 Prince sent foreign mercenaries with weapons such as assault planes and gunboats to eastern Libya to support Khalifa Haftar, the commander who fought for the internationally recognized Libyan government.
The mercenaries involved in the plot also reportedly planned to kill specific Libyan commanders.
The report adds to the shame of Blackwater, which received international criticism in 2007 when its contractors murdered 17 civilians in Iraq. Prince, a former Navy SEAL and the brother of the former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos
Betsy DeVosBiden faces left-wing backlash on student loans When Randi Weingarten repeats Betsy Devos Schumer, Warren introduces a bill calling on Biden to clear student loan debt., usually sends its resources to Africa, including many of its resource-rich but poor countries. He was also one of the former President Trump
Donald Trump Thune: Trump allies participating in ‘cancel culture’ by punishing senators who voted to condemn the Biden administration, open to resuming nuclear talks with Iran Trump-McConnell divide divides GOP donors MOREmost loyal supporters.
Prince did not cooperate with the UN investigation, but the accusation that he violated the arms embargo on Haftar leaves him open to possible sanctions.
The report describes Prince’s involvement in the ongoing struggle in Libya. The war pits Haftar, a former CIA asset-turned-insurgent-strongman, against the internationally-backed government in Tripoli.
The government was backed after the Arab Spring uprising that killed Muammar Gaddafi drove the nation into anarchy.
Prince made his offer to help Haftar shortly after the start of the rebel leader’s fierce campaign to take Tripoli. Trump also expressed support for Haftar days after the meeting between Prince and the commander.
While the mercenary operation to Libya quickly disintegrated due to a dispute between Haftar and the troops, certain assets, including a cyberwarfare team and several attack planes, were left once the mercenaries left.
The US mission to the UN, which is a member of the Security Council, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
Prince was last faced with allegations of violation of international law in 2012, when he was also charged with breaking an arms embargo for sending weapons to Somalia.