Libya denies arming Islamists in Somalia

TRIPOLI, Nov 17 (Reuters) Libya today dismissed as unfounded a report that it had supplied Islamists in Somalia with arms, saying Tripoli had played a peace-broker role for years between the Somali government and its rivals for years.

''It is unfounded and absolutely untrue and incredible to name Libya in this subject. We are surprised by such information which is baseless,'' said Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassouna Chaouch in statement.

Chaouch was reacting to an advance copy of a UN-commissioned report naming Libya as one of 10 countries aiding Somalia's Islamists in violation of a 1992 arms embargo on Somalia.

''Libya has always acted as a mediator between all the Somali parties to reach solutions to their disagreements and resolve their conflicts,'' he added.

Libya backed the Somali government in its effort to disarm all militias in the country as Tripoli strived for years to deepen dialogue between all rivals in Somalia, Chaouch added in the statement faxed to Reuters.

''We reaffirm our rejection and denunciation of any attempt to disparage and undermine to all that Libya had done to itsbrothers in Somalia, including humanitarian aid and trade (...) demanded by the previous and current governments of Somalia,'' he said.

The UN commissioned report described a web of countries and militant groups supplying arms, personnel and equipment to both Somalia's interim government and the Islamists vying for control of the country.

In June the Islamists captured Mogadishu from US-backed warlords and have since taken control of large parts of the south.

REUTERS PDM BD1542