Tripoli, July 16 (ANI): In a major blow to the Gaddafi regime, over 30 countries have recognized the opposition National Transitional Council (TNC) as the sole and legitimate representative of the Libyan people.
The decision was announced at a meeting of the International Libya Contact Group in Turkey. The move will increase pressure on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and allow the transfer of impounded Libyan funds to the rebels.
The statement by nations meeting in Istanbul for the fourth time since NATO attacks against Gaddafi's regime began in March, could allow the US to free up more than 30 billion dollars of Gaddafi's assets held by American banks for the opposition fighters, The Independent reports.
France has agreed to unfreeze 250 million dollars in assets for the opposition, while Italy pledged to unfreeze an additional 100 million. Kuwait and Qatar have reportedly given about 100 million dollars to the opposition rebels.
"Increasingly the people of Libya are looking past Gaddafi. They know, as we all know that it is no longer a question of whether Gaddafi will leave power, but when," Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State was quoted, as saying by the paper.
The US and its allies are now hopeful that official recognition given to the rebels will help them oust Gaddafi from power.
"The United States views the Gaddafi regime as no longer having any legitimate authority in Libya," Clinton said.
"And so I am announcing today that, until an interim authority is in place, the United States will recognize the TNC as the legitimate governing authority for Libya, and we will deal with it on that basis," she added.
The TNC leadership is jubilant after the US announcement. But the rebels are calling for more money to aid them in their push towards Tripoli.(ANI)
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