Libyans protest at French special forces presence

The UN-backed government of Libya has dubbed the presence of French troops in the country a violation of national sovereignty, following France's admission they were preseence and that three had died near the eastern town of Benghazi. There were protests against "foreign interference" in several Libyan towns once the news had broken on Wednesday.

Wreckage claimed to be that of the helicopter in which the French special forces mwmbers were travellling near Benghazi Reuters/Stringer

The Government of National Accord, which has failed to establish control over the whole country in its battle with rival militias, protested against the "violation" on its Facebook page.

It would welcome help in fighting the Islamic State armed group by "friendly nations"; it said, but that "should be based on a request or in coordination".

Demonstrations in several towns

Hundreds of people demonstrated in several Libyan cities, most notably Tripoli and Misrata.

In Benghazi they responded to a call by the former mufti of Tripoli, Sadiq al-Ghariani, the spiritual leader of the Benghazi Defence Brigades, who claimed to have shot down the helicopter the three dead soldiers were travelling in.

France working with Haftar

Sources close to General Khalifa Haftar, who is fighting the Islamists but has refused to recognise the unity government, said the Frenchmen were military advisors.

France has been working with Haftar for several months so as to gather intelligence in the fight against IS but without taking part in combat, military sources told Le Monde newspaper.

US and British special forces are also present in Benghazi, according to the Washington Post.