Algeria: We have not offered Gaddafi an escape route
Algeria has said it is ready to recognise Libya's former rebels when they form a broad-based government, and insists it has not offered an escape route to Muammar Gaddafi.
Algeria angered Libya's new government by allowing one of Gaddafi's wives and some of his children and grandchildren to seek sanctuary in the neighbouring state.
Some reports now suggest Gaddafi is hiding out in the border town of Ghadames, with other family members awaiting permission to cross into Algeria.
Meanwhile, world leaders are gathering in Paris today to discuss Libya's economic and democratic future with members of the country's National Transitional Council.
China confirmed it would send a vice minister to the Paris conference.
Traditionally opposed to humanitarian interventions, Beijing has been less supportive of the one-time rebels battling to oust Gaddafi than France and other Western countries such as Britain and the United States.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy personally invited China to send a delegate to the meeting when he made a short stopover in Beijing a week ago. China has appeared reluctant to join Western nations in rebuilding Libya, but foreign ministry spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said that vice foreign minister Zhai Jun would attend.
“China supports the efforts by relevant parties in restoring stability and promoting the smooth transition of power in Libya, and is willing to join the international community and play an active role in rebuilding Libya in the future,” Mr Ma said.
China had criticised the Nato-led air campaign against Gaddafi’s forces and refused to condemn the dictator.
China is a big investor in Libya, with 26 companies taking on an estimated $20bn in business. Many of the projects were only half-completed and no estimates have yet been issued as to losses, given the scale of the fighting and widespread looting.
On Thursday, the flagship newspaper of the ruling Communist Party repeated calls for the United Nations to take the lead in post-conflict arrangements in the oil-rich North African country.
“As a permanent member of the Security Council, China has full reason to stress the leading role of the United Nations,” said a commentary in the People’s Daily.
China is the only UN security Council member that does not recognise the Libyan rebel movement as the country’s acting leadership after Russia said it recognised the rebel National Transitional Council.
When asked about recognition at a news conference, Mr Ma said China respects the choice of the Libyan people and attaches importance to the “role played by the NTC in the settlement of the Libyan issue. We hope for the sound and steady progress of our bilateral relations”.
