20110917
Reuters
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, South Africa (Reuters) - Europe is ready to recognise Libya's interim government in the United Nations, but will push it to become more inclusive, the European Council president said on Thursday.

Herman Van Rompuy, on a visit to South Africa, said Europe would back the interim National Transitional Council (NTC) as Libya's official representative.

"We are even ready to recognise they can take the place of Libya in the United Nations," Van Rompuy told reporters after meeting with South African President Jacob Zuma in the sprawling Kruger National Park.

Zuma has failed to recognise the NTC, putting South Africa at odds with the West and fast-growing economic rival Nigeria. South Africa's support of Muammar Gaddafi has its roots in a long-standing close relationship between the countries.

Zuma, who has criticised the NATO bombing campaign against Gaddafi, has called for "inclusive dialogue" among the different Libyan groups.

Von Rompuy made a similar call for an inclusive Libyan government on Thursday.

"We have to push and we even sent a letter to the African Union that they (Libya) should go for a more inclusive government in the upcoming stage."

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron were given a rapturous welcome in the Libyan eastern city of Benghazi on Thursday, where jubiliant crowds thanked them for the NATO campaign that helped end Gaddafi's 42-year rule.