Australia has sided with around 40 other nations in recognizing the Transitional National Council (TNC) as Libya's legitimate governing authority, DPA reported.
"Australia and other international friends of Libya recognize the achievements of the TNC in preparing Libya for a post-Gaddafi era of security and progress, and addressing the immediate needs of Libyans for humanitarian support and basic services," Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said in a statement Saturday.
Rudd issued the statement after attending a meeting of the Libya Contact Group in Istanbul, which called on and Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi to leave office.
At the meeting, the fourth since the armed conflict began in Libya five months ago, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced Washington had recognized the council.