LIBYA: The Algerian government is siding with Gaddafi says rebel military spokesperson Ahmed Bani

Record ID: 573697

  • Title: LIBYA: The Algerian government is siding with Gaddafi says rebel military spokesperson Ahmed Bani
  • Date: 26th August 2011
  • Summary: BENGHAZI, LIBYA: (AUGUST 25, 2011) (REUTERS) MILITARY SPOKESPERSON, AHMED BANI, SIGNING A DOCUMENT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MILITARY SPOKESPERSON, AHMED BANI, SAYING: "It is a clear accusation that there are cells for al-Qaeda in Libya, there is no existence for al-Qaeda here and the entire world makes sure of this. At first, this is a baseless charge. Secondly, I think there is something prepared to finagle Libya in this period of time. Algeria should combat al-Qaeda which is hidden in the Algerian mountains at first before charging us and Algeria should not make a condition to recognise us." BANI'S FACE AND REBELS' FLAG APPEARS IN THE FOREGROUND (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MILITARY SPOKESPERSON, AHMED BANI, SAYING: "We are expecting anything because Algeria starts a war against us. They supported the tyrant [Gaddafi] in a war against his people, Algeria provided him with mercenaries who crossed into Libya through the Algerian crossing borders, they [Algerians] smuggled weapons for him and now Algeria is charging us with sheltering al-Qaeda organisation by which it confirms that Algeria wants to finagle Libya and its revolutionists." BANI REVIEWS DOCUMENTS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) MILITARY SPOKESPERSON, AHMED BANI, SAYING: "Sorry for all watchers, it was kind of stupidity. It was a stupid and pointless news [said al-Islam appears in armed car in Tripoli], it is untrue." BANI IS SIGNING A PAPER
  • Embargoed: 10th September 2011 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Libya
  • Country: Libya
  • Topics: International Relations,Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA4KJYGB919IN03HIHXXQC2VGIV
  • Story Text: The Algerian government is finagling Libyans to abort their revolution against Gaddafi, the rebel military spokesperson Ahmed Bani said on Thursday (August 25).
    "It is a clear accusation that there are cells for al-Qaeda in Libya, there is no existence for al-Qaeda here and the entire world makes sure of this. At first, this is a baseless charge. Secondly, I think there is something prepared to finagle Libya in this period of time. Algeria should combat al-Qaeda which is hidden in the Algerian mountains at first before charging us and Algeria should not make a condition to recognise us," he said.
    An Algerian government source told Reuters Algeria will not yet recognise Libyan rebels as the new leadership of its neighbour state and wants them to make a strong commitment to fighting al Quad in North Africa.
    The message, drew swift criticism from the Libyan rebel leadership, underscoring a degree of tension between Algeria and some Libyan rebel leaders who before Muammar Gaddafi apparent fall in an insurgent advance into Tripoli this week accused Algiers of supporting him in the civil war. Algerian authorities have denied this.
    Bani said Algeria had provided Gaddafi with weapons since the mid-February protests began and allowed mercenaries to cross into the country to target Libyan revolutionists.
    "We are expecting anything because Algeria starts a war against us. They supported the tyrant [Gaddafi] in a war against his people, Algeria provided him with mercenaries who crossed into Libya through the Algerian crossing borders, they [Algerians] smuggled weapons for him and now Algeria is charging us with sheltering al-Qaeda organisation by which it confirms that Algeria wants to finagle Libya and its revolutionists," Bani said.
    Bani also mocked reports broadcast on al-Arabia TV that said a Tripoli eyewitness saw Saif al-Islam, Gaddafi's son in an armed vehicle in Tripoli.
    "Sorry for all watchers, it was kind of stupidity. It was a stupid and pointless news [said al-Islam appears in armed car in Tripoli], it is illogic and untrue," he said.
    Algeria has said it believes the chaos inside Libya, and large quantities of weapons circulating there, are being exploited by al Qaeda's North African branch, al Quad in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
    The NTC has rejected assertions that it has been infiltrated by al Quad or other Islamist militants.
    Algeria expects an apology from the rebels over their allegation that it supported Gaddafi in the conflict a government source said.
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