Burkina Faso denies fuelling SLeone war

Burkina Faso has denied allegations that it helped fuel the civil war in Sierra Leone by assisting rebels in the illegal sale of diamonds.

A government spokesman said his country was committed to the return of peace in Sierra Leone and supported the United Nations in this regard.

The spokesman said any accusations should be backed with proof.

Western diplomats at the United Nations have singled out Burkina Faso and Liberia as being conduits for the illegal trade in diamonds mined by rebels of the Revolutionary United Front RUF in Sierra Leone.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service