S Africa police arrest Libyans at 'illegal' military camp

Ninety-five Libyan nationals have been arrested on suspicion of receiving training at an "illegal" military camp in South Africa, police have said.

Officers raided the site on Friday after receiving intelligence two days prior.

The camp was situated on a farm near White River, a small town in the northern province of Mpumalanga.

The Libyans allegedly "misrepresented themselves" on their visa applications by saying they would be training as security guards, national police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe said.

"We take any threat to the security and stability of our province and country very seriously," police commissioner Zeph Mkhwanazi was quoted as saying in a police statement.

However, the same statement assured the public that there was "no immediate threat to community safety".

The 95 Libyan nationals have been taken into custody and are being questioned by the relevant authorities.

The police have not said who the detainees might have been receiving military training from.