Since the beginning of the uprising in Libya, Feb. 17, many witnesses have reported the presence of foreign fighters in the territory of the "Jamahiriya". Armed and trained, these mercenaries are sowing fear among opponents of the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi. Sadly known as "death squads" by locals, these men have a mission to kill a maximum of insurgents.

Who are these "soldiers" who have decided to fight tooth and nail the regime in Tripoli? Difficult to draw a portrait-type, saw "the insidious nature of their existence," says Jean-Philippe France24.com to Daniel, a specialist at the Institute of mercenary International and Strategic Relations (IRIS).The International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) estimates their number at 6000. They would be 30 000, according to figures from the weekly "Courrier International".

According to the most probable hypothesis, most of these mercenaries have been trained by veterans from different African rebellions funded by Colonel Gaddafi since he took office in 1969. They come from Chad, Niger, Mauritania, Algeria, Central African but also Eastern Europe. "I do not think their recruitment is done at random and on a case by case, it is simply impossible, said Jean-Philippe Daniel.I think that these mercenaries were already part of foreign allies Gaddafi regime for thirty years and they came to sell their services to it from the start of the insurgency. "

These days, many videos posted on the Internet – and often shocking – showed the men firing live bullets at people. Scenes that take place mostly in eastern Libya and Benghazi, Libyan opposition stronghold. Cyril Vanier, Special Envoy of FRANCE 24, relates the stories of civilians who fled these mercenaries. "Many residents of Brega who just arrived in Benghazi said they saw there mercenaries alongside pro-Gaddafi.According to the accent, they think it was Chad, says he. Forty of them were arrested by the insurgents. "

Subject to all the rumors

Official proof of their existence, a testament to the Libyan minister who resigned from the Justice Mustapha Abdul Jalil, who said, February 24, not being surprised by their response. "I knew that the regime had the mercenaries before the uprising," he had then told the Swedish newspaper "Expressen".

According to testimony gathered by news agency Reuters, the Libyan regime rétribuerait these fighters between 725 to 14 500 euros per day to kill insurgents. "Absurd," Judge Jean-Philippe Daniel."I absolutely do not believe at wages that exceed the 4000 euros per month, unless you are very qualified to be a pilot. We do not pay as much an infantryman. Imagine the colossal fortune that would cost these men on regime. "

According to Willy Bracciano, FRANCE 24's special envoy to Tripoli, the Libyan mercenaries would reach the territory by air bridges established between Libya and Chad and Niger."Most of the time, the mercenaries arrive by their own means, not an airplane in mid-tourists and ordinary civilians!" Replies the other hand Jean-Philippe Daniel.

Amalgam between mercenaries and sub-Saharan Africans

New enemy number one of the factions of the opposition, these mercenaries are victims of lynchings when they are caught. A hatred that turned against many sub-Saharan Africans who lived and worked in Libya.

Guinea-Bissau came to work in a Chinese construction company based in Zouara, west of Tripoli, Julio Pereira was among those who are now trying to get out as soon the country for fear of reprisals."They take us all for mercenaries because of our skin color," he told Marie Valla, Special Envoy France24.com camp Shusha, the Tunisian border. "A color that makes me an outcast … I never thought of having to leave the country as on mere allegations."