Recognition of the Libyan National Transitional Council

Abstract

Recognition of the Libyan National Transitional Council (“NTC”) by over a dozen States has recently made the headlines and, as it seems, has given rise to some considerable confusion. The NTC has been recognized, inter alia, as “the legitimate interlocutor of the Libyan people”, “the (sole) representative of the Libyan people”, “sole legitimate representative of Libya” or as “holding governmental authority in the territory which it controls”. The media have interpreted these statements as recognition of the NTC as the legitimate government of Libya, as “diplomatic recognition” or, simply, as recognition of the rebels. Some States are reported as having recognized the NTC without ever employing the terms recognition or recognize. This short paper explores the meanings of recognition of the NTC and its significance as a matter of international law.

Keywords: International Law, civil war, recognition of rebel groups, diplomatic relations