The Malian government on Sunday rejected the declaration of a merger between the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and Ansar Dine of Iyad Ag Ghali.

"We reject the declaration of a merger between MNLA and Ansar Dine because it's contrary to the principle of one and indivisible Mali," Communication Minister and government spokesman Hamadoun Toure said.

The government statement comes after the declaration of "an Islamic state of Azawad" on Saturday by MNLA and Ansar Dine who signed an agreement at Gao in northern Mali.

The two rebel movements affirmed that their merger is aimed at "giving them a strong voice during negotiations with the Malian authorities and the international community."

"Anything else can be placed on the table for negotiations except the single and the indivisible as well as the secular nature of our country, in conformity to our Constitution," the government spokesman affirmed.

Toure recalled that recently, Mali's Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra said that "Mali will not negotiate with a gun on her head."