Algeria draws scrutiny over Khadafy kin

“This shows Algeria supports the Khadafy regime and will widen the rift between the Algerian regime and the people, which is already at an explosive level,’’ Jeremy Keenan, an Algeria specialist at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said. “Algeria has been unbelievably foolish.’’

The Algerian government has allowed mercenaries, fuel, and weapons to come into Libya over the past six months, said Guma Al Gumaty, the rebel’s British coordinator. “It is very unwise to be working against Libyan people’s interest. They should be looking toward the future.’’

Algeria is one of a handful of African states that have not recognized the rebel’s National Transitional Council as Libya’s de facto government. Another is Zimbabwe, which this week said it is recalling its diplomats from Tripoli because it will not confer legitimacy to the group.

As a signatory to the Rome Treaty that set up the International Criminal Court, the Algerian authorities would be obliged to hand over Khadafy should he cross the border. Khadafy himself is wanted for crimes against humanity. The Libyan leader’s location is still unknown.

Algeria’s actions have alarmed Western powers too. The United States is concerned that the Khadafy family’s travel across the border “isn’t in keeping with travel ban restrictions’’ under United Nations resolutions, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

Still, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika’s government denies helping the Libyan regime and says Khadafy’s kin were allowed safe passage “on humanitarian grounds.’’