New York - Hundreds of mercenaries from a Russian paramilitary security firm have been fighting on the side of powerful General Khalifa Haftar in civil-war-torn Libya, according to a United Nations (UN) internal report.

A maximum of 800 to 1,200 paramilitaries from the private "Wagner Group" have been stationed in the country to fight against the UN-backed government in the capital city Tripoli, according to the confidential report from UN experts, extracts of which have been seen by dpa.

The group allegedly has connections with the Kremlin. Moscow has consistently denied being directly involved in the devastating civil war in Libya.

The Wagner Group members are experts in artillery and air attacks as well as sniper shooting, according to the report.

"Their deployment has acted as an effective multiplier for (Haftar)," it continues.

The group is said to have fought in Syria, Ukraine and the Central African Republic.

The New York Times and The Washington Post had reported on the Wagner Group's presence last year but the UN did not confirm it until now.

Since April 2019, Haftar, the commander of the eastern-based forces, has been laying siege to Tripoli in a bid to seize it from the Government of National Accord (GNA).

Last week, Haftar announced a halt in fighting during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.

In recent days, the GNA declared its forces have made gains by recapturing two strategic cities west of Tripoli.

The oil-rich country has been in turmoil since the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moamer Gaddafi and has become a battleground for rival proxy forces.

(dpa)