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Algerian FM denies providing military backup for Gaddafi

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Algerian Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci on Tuesday denied to his French counterpart Alain Juppe the Libyan rebels' allegations that Algeria provided military backup for Libyan Leader Muammar Gaddafi, Algerian state-run news agency APS reported.

Medelci held a phone conversation with Juppe to discuss bilateral relationships and the situation in the north African region, in reference to the crisis in Libya, said APS.

According to Algerian newspapers, Juppe minister questioned Medelci on the circulated news over an alleged role of Algeria in backing up the regime of Gaddafi with hundreds of military cars loaded with arms and ammunition, and was quoted as saying that " Medelci reassured me and told me such allegations are not true."

The Algerian Foreign Ministry has rebuffed the accusation by Libyan opposition Transitional National Council that Algeria sent mercenaries to Libya as "irresponsible."

"This irresponsible obstinacy to involve the Algerian authorities at all costs makes us wonder about the intention and motivation of those behind this conspiracy against a country ( which is) blamed because it has refused to interfere in the Libyan interior affairs, deplored the disproportionate use of force and warned against the deadly dangers of the infiltration of terrorist groups in the Libyan territory," said the foreign ministry.

Libyan rebels said they raised the issue of Gaddafi's use of foreign mercenaries from other African and Arab countries, particularly Algeria, during talks with an African Union delegation working to seek a cease-fire in Libya.