Saudi Arabia 'vowed to bankroll Haftar's offensive on Libya capital'

Saudi Arabia has reportedly vowed to finance a military campaign led by a rogue Libyan warlord to capture the capital Tripoli from the internationally recognised government.

Citing Saudi officials, The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday that Riyadh has pledged to pay tens of millions of dollars for Khalifa Haftar's offensive.

The offer was reportedly made late last month during a visit by Haftar to Riyadh, where he met with King Salman.

"We were quite generous," one of the officials was quoted as saying.

Saudi Arabia is one of the key allies of Haftar, a former Gaddafi military chief who has emerged as a major player in Libya's political struggle.

Last week, he launched an offensive to capture the capital, which is controlled by a UN-backed government and an array of militias.

Haftar backs a rival administration based in eastern Libya that refuses to recognise the authority of the Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Fayez al-Sarraj. 

Thousands of people have fled heavy fighting on the outskirts of Tripoli that has left dozens dead and prompted mounting global alarm.