According to H.Lauvergne memoirs (1826) “all the strength and order of the Ottoman-Egyptian expedition force in Greece was due to 2 Frenchmen: Seve (Suleiman bey) and Mari (Bekir agha).” Mari was a Corsican who first appeared as a volunteer in Greece in 1821 and was proved a spy.

Some European soldiers of fortune who came in as volunteers in 1821 either because of disappointment or for the salaries, switched side and joined Mohamed Ali’s army as officers and advisors. Like the French Saint-Andre and Italian Gubernati (commander of Greek regiment)