Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohammed Kamel Amr announced Monday that the Egyptian government recognized the rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) as an legitimate representative of Libya.

Amr made the remarks in a statement at a press conference with Mohamed Abdel-Menem al-Honi, the former Libyan ambassador to Egypt and the Arab League who is now the envoy of the NTC.

Amr said the Libyan embassy in Cairo will be handed over to the envoy of the NTC.

According to official MENA news agency, the Egyptian cabinet entrusted on Monday Amr with officially announcing Egypt's recognition of the NTC.

The cabinet also issued directives to the foreign minister to continue contacts with the NTC to support the process of restoring stability and security in Libya, said cabinet spokesman Mohammed Hegazi.

A delegation of the NTC arrived in Cairo to start diplomatic work and Al-Houni, on behalf of the NTC received the headquarters of the Libyan embassy on Monday.

The Libyan flag under the leadership of Muammar Gaddafi flying above the building was replaced by Libya's independence flag.