Kuwait recognises Libyan rebels council

The Gulf state of Kuwait on Monday recognised the Libyan rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) as the "legitimate" representative of the Libyan people.

An official source at the foreign ministry "renewed the support of the state of Kuwait to the NTC as the sole and legitimate representative of the Libyan people," a statement cited by the official KUNA news agency said.

Kuwait has maintained good relations with the Libyan rebels and granted NTC $180 million in urgent aid during a visit by NTC chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil in April but stopped short of fully recognising them.

The foreign ministry official expressed hope that Libya will enjoy peace and security.

The move came as Libyan rebels seized control of most of Tripoli.

A group of Libyans in Kuwait Monday removed and burned the flag of Moamer Kadhafi regime at the embassy and then raised the rebels flag, as ambassador Mohammad al-Mubarak said he was operating under the NTC.

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