Germany recognizes Libyan rebel leadership

Germany, which didn't participate in the NATO air campaign against Libya, on Monday recognized the rebel leadership that is opposing Muammar Gaddafi as the legitimate representative of the country, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said during a visit to the rebel capital of Benghazi, according to the New York Times.

"We share the same goal — Libya without Gaddafi," Westerwelle said at a news conference in Benghazi, according to the Vancouver Sun.

Germany will open a small mission in Benghazi, joining the US, the EU, the United Nations, Britain, France, Spain and others that have established a presence there in the past several weeks, the New York Times said. Washington has not yet extended diplomatic recognition to the council.

The German statement, which falls short of full diplomatic recognition of the NTC, added to pressure on the regime, the Wall Street Journal reported. Also on Monday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called on African nations to push for Gaddafi's departure on a visit to the headquarters of the African Union in  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia:

"I urge all African states to call for a genuine cease-fire and to call for Gadhafi to step aside," she said.

Some African nations have expressed unease about the NATO campaign in Libya, and the government in Tripoli has been looking to the African Union's road map as its preferred peace deal. According to the Vancouver Sun, Gaddafi has styled himself the African "king of kings" and has won support from many African countries in exchange for financial help. Most countries on the continent have been lukewarm toward the rebels.

Gaddafi's government on Monday said it would implement proposals by African nations to end the stalemate, as well as draft a constitution and a new media law, the Vancouver Sun said, citing the official JANA news agency.