Cairo: Libya`s National Transitional Council, set up by anti-Gaddafi rebels as a ruling body in the east of the country, has urged the Arab League to recognise it as a legitimate authority, Egyptian media said Saturday.
The council forwarded its request to Amr Moussa, head of the 22-nation Arab League, ahead of an emergency foreign ministerial meeting on Libya.
The Libyan oppositionists have also asked the Arab League to back up the west`s proposal on banning foreign flights to Libya to prevent aerial strikes by Muammar Gaddafi`s forces.
Protests against Gaddafi`s nearly 42-year rule began Feb 14. The government has been using force to suppress demonstrations. Clashes have claimed the lives of several thousand people. Rebels have taken over most of the eastern territories.
On Thursday, France officially recognised the Libyan rebel leadership. Other EU countries - Britain and Germany - have urged all EU members to shun Gaddafi`s regime.
In his address carried by Libyan state media, Gaddafi warned that the country would drop its obligations to the EU and pull out of international agreements unless the EU recognised Tripoli`s efforts to tackle terrorism and illegal migration in North Africa.
Russia Thursday joined the UN arms embargo on Libya but said it is opposed to western military intervention.
PTI
