Food Live Blog

Libya's rebels have bought close to 100,000 tonnes of wheat and flour in recent weeks, the first major commercial food deals done by those fighting to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi, trade sources said.

They said food consignments were being routed mainly by land through Egypt and Tunisia, with little coming in by sea as ship owners remained reluctant to risk their vessels.

Sources said Qatar and possibly the United Arab Emirates were providing the financing, enabling the rebels to do deals.