The Libyan National Transitional Council recognized Monday the Syrian National Council and closed the Syrian embassy in Tripoli, Arab Media reported.
"The National Transitional Council has decided after a meeting today to recognize the Syrian National Council as the sole legitimate government in Syria and to close the Syrian embassy in Tripoli," NTC member Mussa al-Koni told a news conference in Tripoli, DPA reported.
Syrian opposition groups formed the council earlier this month in Turkey. Damascus has drawn widespread condemnation for its violent crackdown on pro-democracy protests, which have been calling for President Bashar al-Assad's ouster.
The decision makes Libya the first country to recognize the Syrian National Council.
On Sunday Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem threatened that his country would take "tough measures" against any country that recognized the council.