Libya’s rebel government gained more Arab recognition a day after its fighters overran the heart of the capital in their push to take full control from regime loyalists and end a six-month uprising against Gaddafi’s 42-year rule.
Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi expressed in a statement his “full solidarity with the ongoing efforts” by the NTC, and “wished success for the council in leading a new era and preserving Libya’s regional integrity and its sovereignty and independence.”
Egypt, Libya’s eastern neighbour, recognised the council as the legitimate government after holding back so far on supporting the rebels, who started their uprising days after an Egyptian revolt ended president Hosni Mubarak’s three decade rule.
“It pleases me at this historical occasion to announce that Egypt recognises the new regime in Libya and the National Transitional Council that represents it,” Egypt’s Foreign Minister Mohamed Amr said at a joint news conference with Abdel Moneim al-Huweini, the rebel envoy to Cairo and the Arab League.
Kuwait followed suit, with the foreign ministry renewing “the support… for the NTC as the sole and legitimate representative of the Libyan people,” a statement cited by the official Kuna news agency said.
A group of about 30 Libyans living in Kuwait lowered and burned the flag of Gaddafi’s regime at the embassy in Kuwait City, hoisted the rebel flag and tore down pictures of the Libyan leader that were inside the embassy.
In Jordan, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, who urged a “swift and peaceful” transfer of power in Libya, said the NTC “has a key role to play” in helping “different powers there to agree on a road map for democracy.”
“We hope the tragic situation and bloodshed in Libya would end. Libya should be rebuilt in a way that preserves its unity, stability and security,” he told the state-run Petra news agency.
“It is a great victory for the people of Libya during the holy month of Ramadan. Thousands of martyrs have paid the price of victory, which makes it special,” said the leader of Jordan’s powerful Muslim Brotherhood, Hammam Said.
“The Muslim Brotherhood congratulates Arab and Muslim nations on the downfall of the tyrant of Libya,” he added in a statement on the group’s website.
The Organisation of Islamic Co-operation called on Libyans to back the NTC as secretary general Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu “congratulates the Libyan people for the success of their revolution and the victory of their free will,” said a statement issued by the Jeddah-based OIC.
