The French government now admits that it is arming rebels in Libya in an overt attempt to oust Muammar el-Qaddafi.

Col. Thierry Burkhard, a French military spokesperson, said that French forces “airdropped water, food and medical supplies” to Misurata and to the region south of Tripoli.  “During this operation troops also airdropped arms and ammunition several times, including assault rifles, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades and launchers,” he said.

The New York Times reports on the French weapons transfers.