Libyan PM denies airbase was used to attack Mali

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan has denied that French military forces used the al-Waigh military base in the south-west of the country to attack northern Mali. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Zeidan said: "Libya will never be used as a launching pad for operations against the safety of any neighbouring state." Zeidan also urged Libyans to cooperate with local security forces and remain vigilant of "elements that seek to threaten Libya's safety and security," warning against weapon and drug dealers who "misuse Libyan soil for objectives that harm Libya and the interests of neighbouring countries." The Prime Minister also declared his country's "solidarity" with Algeria and condemned the "violence against civilians on production sites, oil fields or otherwise." Highlighting Libya's relations with its Maghreb and Sahel neighbours, he said these relations would continue in light of the cooperation agreements signed at the last dialogue session. Meanwhile, a protest was held outside the Benghazi courthouse on Friday, demanding an end to the French raids on northern Mali. In Tripoli, there was a demonstration calling on state authorities to crackdown on drug smuggling.