Arab countries back Libyan rebels

Arab countries yesterday declared "full solidarity" with Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) as rebels closed in on Moamer Gaddafi's Tripoli compound in their final drive to oust him.
Libya's rebel government gained more Arab recognition a day after its fighters overran the heart of the capital in their push to take full control from regime loyalists and end a six-month uprising against Gaddafi's 42-year rule.
Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi expressed in a statement his "full solidarity with the ongoing efforts" by the NTC, and "wished success for the council in leading a new era and preserving Libya's regional integrity and its sovereignty and independence."
Egypt, Libya's eastern neighbour, recognised the council as the legitimate government after holding back so far on supporting the rebels, who started their uprising days after an Egyptian revolt ended president Hosni Mubarak's three decade rule.
"It pleases me at this historical occasion to announce that Egypt recognises the new regime in Libya and the National Transitional Council that represents it," Egypt's Foreign Minister Mohammed Amr said at a joint news conference with Abdel Moneim al-Huweini, the rebel envoy to Cairo and the Arab League.
Kuwait followed suit, with the foreign ministry renewing "the support... for the NTC as the sole and legitimate representative of the Libyan people," a statement cited by the official KUNA news agency said.