'Mercenary leader' admits trying to buy weapons

The alleged leader of 70 suspected mercenaries accused of plotting a coup in Equatorial Guinea has pleaded guilty to attempting to buy weapons in Zimbabwe, but denied they were for use in the takeover attempt.

Former British special forces member Simon Mann, acting for a legal firm of firearms dealers known as Military Technical Services, admits dealing with the Zimbabwe state arms maker for nearly five years, defence lawyer Jonathan Samkange said.