"We think the Transitional National Council is the legitimate representative of the Libyan people," Ahmet Davutoglu said in Benghazi after Turkey pulled its envoy from Tripoli and adopted new sanctions against Moamer Kadhafi`s regime.
The move came after Turkey`s official journal announced on Saturday that its ambassador to Libya, Salim Levent Sahinkaya, had been reassigned in Ankara.
Sahinkaya was withdrawn from Tripoli in March because of the fighting there and had not been replaced.
The official journal also published a government decree translating UN sanctions against Libya, Kadhafi, his family and regime officials into Turkish law.
Sunday`s de facto recognition by Turkey also came as Libya`s rebel army said it was poised for an offensive that could put it within striking distance of Tripoli.
Turkey, the only mainly Muslim member of NATO and an important regional player, has gradually taken a hard line against Libya, after at first criticising the Western air strikes against Kadhafi`s forces.
It has refused to take part in the air action, but has provided six warships to help impose a NATO-imposed arms embargo in Libyan waters.
In May Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Kadhafi to cede power and last month offered him a "guarantee" that if he left the north African country he would be taken wherever he wanted. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
