Norway recognises the National Transition Council in Libya as the legitimate governing authority

“Norway recognises that the National Transition Council (NTC) is at this stage the legitimate governing authority in Libya and will deal with it accordingly,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The situation in Libya has changed rapidly in the past few days. Colonel Gaddafi and his regime now control small pockets of Libyan territory, and it is only logical that we draw the necessary conclusions from this.

“We must look ahead. As soon as the situation in Libya allows, it is important to establish a broad-based government that has the widest possible popular support and that can govern the country during an interim period,” said Mr Støre.

“We will communicate Norway’s position to the NTC in the course of the day and continue discussing how Norway can support the transition process in Libya in concrete terms,” said Mr Støre.