Ali Essawy (R), the foreign affairs representative of Libyan opposition National Transitional Council, speaks next to Danish Foreign Minister Lene Espersen during a press conference in Benghazi, Libya, June 22, 2011. Denmark announced Wednesday that it recognizes the Libyan opposition National Transitional Council (NTC) as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people. [Xinhua/Dai Xuming]

Denmark announced Wednesday that it recognizes the Libyan opposition National Transitional Council (NTC) as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

"In the current transition period, Denmark regards the NTC as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people, and we will support it and hope it will be able to include all people in Libya," visiting Danish Foreign Minister Lene Espersen said at a press conference in Benghazi.

"I will convey the Danish government's condolences to the Libyan people for the tragic loss of life resulting from the fighting campaign with the (Libyan leader Muammar) Gaddafi regime. With that behaviour, the brutal Gaddafi regime has lost all legitimacy to rule this country," she said.

Denmark previously only acknowledged the NTC as one of Libya's authorities. Espersen's announcement brought Denmark's position in line with the NATO members, such as France, Spain, Britain and Germany, which are launching an intensified military campaign against Gaddafi's forces.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms that these acts of the Gaddafi regime against civilians who excise their legitimate right to demand a better future, and it is important that Libya continues to be one single country," she added.

About four months after its establishment, the NTC has been lobbying world powers for supports and has been boosted by the recognition from countries including France, Italy, Britain, Germany, Spain, Qatar and the UAE.

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