BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) – Germany recognized Libya’s rebel council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people on Monday, giving heavyweight support to the leaders poised to run the country if Muammar Gaddafi falls.

The recognition, voiced by Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on a visit to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, is significant because Germany has been reluctant to be drawn into the Libyan conflict and opted out of NATO military action.
“We share the same goal -- Libya without Gaddafi,” Westerwelle told a news conference in Benghazi after meeting members of the rebel National Transitional Council, seen by many as a government-in-waiting.
“The national council is the legitimate representative of the Libyan people,” Westerwelle said, to applause from Libyans present. Countries that have recognized the rebel council include France, Italy, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged African leaders to follow suit and abandon Gaddafi.
Gaddafi has styled himself the African “king of kings” and over the years won support from many African states in exchange for financial help and generous gifts. Most countries on the continent have been lukewarm toward the rebels.
“It has become clear that we are long past the time when he (Gaddafi) can remain in power,” Clinton said in a speech to the African Union at its headquarters in the Ethiopian capital.
“Your words and your actions could make the difference ...” in ending this situation “and allowing the people of Libya to get to work writing a constitution and rebuilding their country,” she said.