LONDON, July 27 (UPI) -- Libyan embassy staff in London were expelled and the rebel National Transitional Council was asked to set up an embassy in Britain, the Foreign Office said.
The Libyan charge d'affaires was told of the decision Wednesday during a meeting with British Foreign Secretary William Hague, the BBC reported.
During a news conference, Hague said Britain now considers the NTC as the legitimate authority for Libya, The Guardian reported.
"We will deal with the NTC on the same basis as other governments around the world," he said.
Hague also confirmed the expulsion of Gadhafi's remaining diplomats from London and the invitation to the NTC to open an embassy.
The Libyan ambassador to Britain was expelled in May. Media outlets said between six and eight people remain at the embassy.
Libyan rebels have been fighting for five months to try to oust Gadhafi after four decades of rule. A NATO-led coalition has been enforcing a no-fly zone over the country and attacking Libyan military targets as part of a U.N. resolution to protect Libyan citizens from Gadhafi, short of boots on the ground.
Sky News reported several of the remaining embassy personnel indicated they would go to Benghazi because they support the rebel cause.
More than 30 countries, including Britain, France and the United States, agreed to recognize the National Transitional Council as the legitimate authority in Libya earlier this month.
