Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — Qatar has acknowledged a combat presence in Libya.

The Qatar military said hundreds of troops participated in the ground war against the former regime of Col. Moammar Gadhafi in Libya this year. The military said Qatari soldiers joined rebels in attacks on Gadhafi forces
throughout the North African state.

“We were among them, and the numbers of Qataris on the ground were hundreds in every region,” Qatari Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Hamad Bin Ali Al Attiyah said.

In remarks on Oct. 26 in Doha, Al Attiyah confirmed reports that Qatar was a major participant in the NATO-led drive against the Gadhafi regime, which began in March. The general said Qatar was responsible for training, planning and liasion with NATO.

“Qatar had supervised the rebels’ plans because they are civilians and did not have enough military experience,” Al Attiyah said on the sidelines of a meeting between NATO allies with the Libyan National Transitional Council. “We acted as the link between the rebels and NATO forces.”

Officials said Qatar also participated in the NATO no-fly zone mission over Libya. They said the Emir Air Force, helped by France, contributed up to 12 French-origin Mirage 2000 fighter-jets.

Al Attiyah said Qatar’s special forces planned the rebel assault on Tripoli, the largest of Gadhafi’s strongholds. The general’s assertion was confirmed by National Transitional Council chief Mustafa Abdul Jalil, who also attended the meeting in Doha.

Qatar plans to maintain its military presence in Libya after the end of the NATO mission. Al Attiyah said Doha would lead a coalition assigned to establish a post-Gadhafi military.

“We hope to supervise military training, collecting weapons and integrating the rebels in newly-established military institutions,” Al Attiyah said. “We hope to explore their [interim government] views regarding the formation of a Libyan Army capable of protecting borders and assets.”

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