US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland stated at a daily briefing on Tuesday that the US government welcomes Turkey's recognition of the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) as the sole legitimate representative of the Libyan people. “[W]e very much welcome the step that the Turkish Government has taken, including its provision of aid to the Transitional National Council,” Nuland said.
Nuland also added that the United States considers the NTC “the legitimate and credible interlocutor for the Libyan people,” adding that they “are working very closely with them on the full range of issues associated with the transition."
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu recognized Libya's rebel leaders as the country's legitimate representatives and promised them an additional $200 million in aid during a visit on Sunday. Turkey has already granted the Libyan opposition $100 million in aid and promised an additional $200 million. Some of the money is to be used to improve the infrastructure of Benghazi and renovate its airport.
