London recognizes TNC as Libyan government

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LONDON, July 27 (UPI) -- A decision by London to recognize Libya's Transitional National Council as the sole authority means there is no future for Moammar Gadhafi, an official said.

Members of the NATO-led military action in Libya at a contract group meeting in Istanbul said Gadhafi, Libya's leader has lost his legitimacy to lead the country.

A U.N. Security Council resolution authorized military force to protect civilians from attacks by forces of Gadhafi, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes committed since February.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague announced Wednesday that the government of British Prime Minister David Cameron was recognizing the TNC as the sole governmental authority in Libya.

"This decision marks another step toward a better, democratic future for Libya -- a future that does not include Gadhafi," he said in a statement.

London said it was committed to the NATO-led intervention in Libya, which started in March. Hague announced that regime officials still functioning on behalf of Gadhafi in London were no longer welcome in the country.

"We no longer recognize them as the representatives of the Libyan government and are inviting the NTC to appoint a new Libyan diplomatic envoy to take over the Libyan Embassy in London," he said.