International recognition of the National Transitional Council

International recognition of the National Transitional Council of Libya is given by the majority of the international community, but is not universal.

Currently, 104 United Nations members have announced they recognise the NTC as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people and some of them have indicated that they are recognising the NTC as the only legitimate representative of the Libyan people, severing diplomatic relations with Gaddafi's government in the process. Additionally, four non-UN members, Kosovo, Palestine, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and the Holy See, have also granted recognition. The European Union and several individual countries, such as Switzerland, have established a diplomatic presence in Benghazi, the former de facto headquarters of the council and the continuing location for many of its offices. NTC officials have also met with representatives of Iceland and Mauritania, among other states, though these states are not known to have established permanent diplomatic relations (informal or formal) with the NTC.

The United Nations General Assembly, with 114 member states in favour to 17 opposed, voted on 16 September 2011 to recognise the NTC as holding Libya's seat at the United Nations. On 20 September 2011, the African Union officially recognised the National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of Libya.

The council has stated that it would like to be recognised by the international community. The Chairman of the Council told Al Jazeera that "there are official contacts with European and Arab [countries]".

As of 30 November 2011, 102 UN member states and four other countries have stated they recognise the National Transitional Council as the sole legitimate representative body of Libya. On 15 July, many of these countries constituting the Libya Contact Group issued a joint statement that they consider the council to be Libya's "legitimate authority".

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