were reportedly based.

The reinforcement by mercenaries is timely since the LNA is reportedly running out of air power.

The role of the Ecuadorian technicians is probably to overhaul the Mirage F1, stationed at Misrata since last year, and more probably refurbish other aircraft stored at Mitiga.

Sources say the Ukrainian has been recruited to service MiG-23s. Already, in late 2014, a group of Ukrainian technicians from Odessa Aviarem service were contracted to overhaul and return to service these aircraft and another group of technicians from Zaporozhie in Ukraine to overhaul at least one MiG-25.

The return to operational service of the Mirages on the GNA side could challenge the LNA air force, which received a batch of former Russian fighter jets last month.

Since February 2011, an embargo has been imposed byUN Security Council Resolution 1970 covering arms exports, provision of weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, and related spare parts.

Two additional resolutions - 2009 from September 2011 and 2095 from March 2013 - granted permission for provision of non-lethal equipment, technical assistance, training and financial support.

However, the embargoes still in place have been frequently ignored - over the last three years Libya has received a significant quantity of new aircraft and helicopters from various supporters abroad.

It is unclear how Misrata managed to find funding to recruit new foreign pilots and technicians. However, the return to operational service of the Mirages on the GNA side could challenge the LNA air force, which received a batch of former Russian fighter jets last month.