Ukraine denies its mercenaries shot dead in Libya

Ukraine has denied reports Ukrainian mercenaries fighting for deposed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi were shot by rebel troops.On Tuesday, the Croatian Vecernij List newspaper quoted a Libyan rebel commander as saying that 11 Ukrainian nationals were among several dozen foreign Gaddafi mercenaries shot by the rebel troops in the western city of Misrata."According to competent sources citing the military authorities in Misrata, it has been confirmed that the report on shooting to death 11 Ukrainian nationals is false," the Foreign Ministry in Kiev said on Wednesday.The ministry's spokesman said the rebels detained 23 Ukrainians working at Libya's "oil objects" earlier this month on suspicion of collaborating with Gaddafi forces.Spokesman Oleksandr Dykusarov said Kiev was working towards repatriating the men who are being kept in Tripoli under house arrest.Last week, Interpol issued arrest warrants for Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and his spy chief.Gaddafi's whereabouts are still unknown. The 69-year-old has said he will die rather than flee Libya.