Tripoli, 23 February 2103:
Abdulhakim Belhaj, the former leader of Tripoli Military Council, has denied reports last week that he was refused . . .[restrict]entry to Algeria and that he had been aware in advance of the January attack on the In Amenas petrochemical plant in southern Algeria.
“I’ve never been to Algeria and have no intention of visiting it”, he has been quoted as saying by the Benghazi-based newspaper, Corina. He condemned his name being linked to the In Amenas attack, insisting he knew nothing about it in advance.
Last week, the Al-Arabiya news broadcaster quoted Algerian security sources saying that the former leader of the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group and co-founder of the Nation Party had been refused entry to Algeria in December . The sources also alleged that Belhaj had had “prior knowledge” of last month attack on the oil and gas facility and had “provided support” for the attackers.
“We have had no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of any neighboring countries”, Belhaj said in response to the allegations. ”
Colleagues of Belhaj have also told the Libya Herald that the story is a “lie”.
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