Rebel council says African states helping Gaddafi

BENGHAZI, Libya, March 2 (Reuters) - The rebel National Libyan Council said on Wednesday it believed Niger, Mali and Kenya were sending troops to support Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as he battles an uprising against his rule.

"There is evidence that the government of Algeria is taking part in this," said council spokesman Hafiz Ghoga at a news conference, after he said the council wanted foreign states to use air strikes against "African mercenaries" in Libya. (Writing by Edmund Blair)