The adventures of a Libyan weapons dealer in Syria

Reuters ^ | Tue Jun 18, 2013 5:06pm BST | Jessica Donati, Ghaith Shennib and Firas Bosalum

[Pan_Yan]

(Reuters) - Abdul Basit Haroun says he is behind some of the biggest shipments of weapons from Libya to Syria, which he delivers on chartered flights to neighbouring countries and then smuggles over the border.

After fleeing Libya in his 20s, Haroun established himself as a property developer in Manchester. After about two decades in the British city, he returned to Libya in 2011 to fight in the revolution, where he became a prominent rebel commander.

...

Haroun's associate, who also runs a relief organisation, said that about 28 tonnes of weapons had been delivered by air so far.

"We are doing two great things," Haroun said. "The first is that we are taking guns off the street. The mission is so popular that we get 50 percent discounts on weapons."

Haroun added that some were also donated free, particularly heavy items that families had little use for after the war.

His son helped him with weapon prices on the streets. For example, a C5 general purpose machine gun was about $25, while rocket propelled grenade launchers were nearer $120.

[Pan_Yan]

Long article but interesting. Quite a pipeline they've got going.