China denies arms deal with Libya

BEIJING, September 5 (RIA Novosti)

The Chinese Foreign Ministry has denied that any Chinese companies signed deals to deliver arms to Muammar Gaddafi's government.

Members of Gaddafi's government had come to China and held talks with certain Chinese arms companies without the government's knowledge, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Monday. "Chinese companies did not sign arms trade contacts nor did they export military items to Libya," she said.

"Chinese companies have not provided military goods to Libya in any direct or indirect form," Jiang Yu said.

The New York Times reported on Sunday that Beijing offered stockpiles of weapons worth about $200 million to Gaddafi and held secret talks via Algeria and South Africa.

The offer reportedly included rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles and other arms.

Jiang Yu reiterated that China scrupulously abides by UN sanctions.