Qatar recognized Libya's rebel Interim Transitional National Council, becoming the second country after France to accept it as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people, state-run QNA news agency reported Monday.

"This recognition comes from a conviction that the council has become, practically, a representative of Libya and its brotherly people," the agency reported, quoting a Foreign Ministry official.

The official further said the rebel council included representatives of different Libyan regions and had acceptance among the Libyan people.