Algeria Denies to Set Condition For Recognizing Libyan Rebels

Algeria denied Friday reports that the North African state will recognize Libya's rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) when the latter makes a commitment to fight the al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

“Such information is thoroughly baseless” and does not reflect the Algerian government’s position concerning the recent events in Libya, the Algerian official news agency APS quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Amar Belani as saying.

Quoting “an Algerian government source”, Reuters reported earlier that “Algeria will not recognize Libyan rebels as the new leadership of its neighbor state and wants them to make a strong commitment to fight al-Qaida in North Africa.”

That message, which drew quick criticism by Libyan rebels, underscored a degree of tension between Algeria and some senior officials of the Libyan rebels, according to Reuters.

Relations between the Algerian government and the NTC have been strained as the Libyan rebels have been accusing Algeria of providing military support to the forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.