US fails to recognise Libya's NTC as a legitimate government

The US has failed to recognise Libya's National Transitional Council as the country's legitimate government.



The statement comes after the first visit to the White House by a senior member of the rebel council, which is pushing for international support.



Mahmoud Jibril, deputy leader of the Benghazi-based National Transitional Council [NTC], met officials at the White House yesterday, including National Security Adviser Tom Donilon.



He hoped the US would join France, Gambia, Italy and Qatar in giving full diplomatic recognition to the council until elections can be held.



But the US did not grant formal recognition of the group as the representative of the Libyan people.