South Africa recognised the National Transitional Council “as the representative of the Libyan people as they form an all-inclusive transitional government,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The decision came after the African Union agreed to recognise the NTC, after weeks of dithering that caused divisions on the continent.

South Africa was ready to support “the overall efforts to stabilise the situation (and) promote democracy and reconstruction,” the foreign ministry said.

Despite harsh criticism of NATO’s bombing campaign, South Africa said it was also ready to work with the alliance and other international organisations “to ensure a coordinated support to the Libyan people”.