Burkina Faso gov't denies presence of Muammar Gaddafi

The spokesman for the Burkina Faso government Alain Edouard Traore has denied reports that Muammar Gaddafi is headed to the country or he is already in there. Speaking on the national television on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m, Traore who is also the communication minister, categorically denied the presence of Gaddafi or any of his close confidants in Burkina Faso. Nigerien and French military sources said on Monday night, a convoy of about 200 vehicles coming from Libya crossed into the Nigerien border. The sources said that the vehicles could probably be taking Gaddafi into exile in Burkina Faso. "No, Gaddafi is not in Burkina Faso. We have not been officially given such information and that is the truth. The rest is speculation of the local and international media," the communication minister said. He said that Burkina Faso will not engage in a game of speculation in a matter which is as important and delicate as that one. The government spokesman affirmed that the government would react if the latter arrived within the borders of Burkina Faso. "We are a sovereign nation with border posts. The security forces who are posted there know what to do in case the latter arrives there," Traore said. He further affirmed that the Burkina Faso government had recognized the National Transitional Council (NTC) as the sole representative of the Libyan people. While pointing out that there's no any ambiguity in the country's foreign policy, the communication minister said "the moment Burkina Faso decided to recognize the NTC, there was nolonger the Libyan guide." However, Traore promised that "in case Gaddafi arrives in Burkina Faso, he will be treated in accordance with the international rules."