Dubai:
The six-member Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has welcomed the collapse of Muammar Gaddafi regime, saying the group will continue its support for the Libyan people to realise their hopes for a better future.
"This decisive transitional period needs cooperation between all Libyans of walks of life and all hues to help open
a new chapter in Libya's history that enhances national unity and reconciliation and pave the way for building new Libya in which security, stability and welfare prevail," said Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, GCC Secretary General.
Abdullatif said the GCC member states supported the aspirations of the Libyan people and their legitimate hopes since the beginning of the crisis and stood very supportive of all efforts to protect the Libyan civilians.
"The GCC will continue its support for the Libyan people to realise their hopes for a better future and a decent life," added Abdullatif.
The GCC has Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates as its members.
Meanwhile, Bahrain has announced that it has recognised the rebels' National Transitional Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.
A foreign ministry statement said the decision was "in light of ongoing developments in Libya," in a reference to
the progress made by the rebels. Bahrain is the fourth Gulf country to recognise the rebel council, after Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE.
UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan yesterday said that the UAE was among the first countries to recognise the NTC and has been at the forefront appealing to the international community to stop bloodshed in Libya.