Addis Ababa — The African Union (AU) on Friday declined to recognize Libya's National Transition Council (NTC) as the sole legitimate governing authority for the North African state.

      Instead, the AU Peace and Security Commission which dominated by states supporters to the former Libyan leader called for an inclusive government representing all the political forces in the country including Gaddafi supporters.

      The position of the African body contrasts with Arab League support to the rebels. This week it recognized the National Transitional Council as representative of the Libya people after suspending Libya's membership since last February.

       Following a meeting attended by three presidents the AUPSC refrained from supporting the NTC as Libya's legitimate government, saying there are not yet in full control of the capital Tripoli. The AU Instead sought for an inclusive transitional government calling on Libyan parties to set up a transitional government ahead of elections.

      The AU "encourages the Libyan stakeholders to accelerate the process leading to the formation of an all-inclusive transitional government that would be welcome to occupy a seat in the African Union," AU Peace and Security Commissioner, Ramtane Lamamra, told reporters.

      Following the AU Peace and Security Council meeting in Addis Ababa on Friday, South African President Jacob Zuma told reporters that it is yet early to say the rebels are legitimate.

      "There is a process in Libya where in the NTC forces are in the process of taking over Tripoli ... but there is still that fighting going on." Zuma said adding "So we can't therefore stand and say this is the legitimate one now".

      An African official who attended the meeting told Reuters that a number of delegates were hostile to the NTC and termed it as "stooges of NATO and the West".