A study by French website Mediapart and Radio France Internationale (RFI) and two other French investigation sites in coordination with Dutch site Lighthouse Reports has revealed that French Rafael warplanes sold to Egypt had been used to support Khalifa Haftar's forces in their military operations in Libya.

The study said the missiles used by Haftar's forces at a southern Tripoli base are French and France admits this.

"The warplanes used to support Haftar's forces in attacks on Derna in eastern Libya and airbase near Houn two years ago and there are footage of them." It said.

Former Chief of French Intelligence Bernard Bajolet told Mediapart that Haftar was more effective than the Head of Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sarraj in fighting terrorism in Libya, saying he was in contact with them when he was in his post

He said Haftar was of more interest to France as he was in control of more areas in Libya.

France sold Egypt 24 Rafale aircraft worth 5.2 billion euros in 2015, which brought lots of criticism by human rights and political organizations.

In 2016, three French military officers were killed in Benghazi, where they were helping Haftar's forces, after their helicopter was downed by Benghazi Defense Brigades.

Libya's Army forces under the command of Presidential Council discovered US Javelin missiles sold to France in earlier time. France admitted ownership of the missiles and said they were meant to protect French soldiers delivering anti-terrorism expertise in Libya.