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Turkey has recognised the rebel Transitional National Council as the true representative of Libya's people.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said it was time for the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to go.

Turkey has pledged a further $200m in aid for the rebels in addition to $100m announced last month.

In another development, the rebels have rejected an initiative by the African Union to sponsor talks between them and the government in Tripoli.

Rebel spokesman Abdel Hafiz Ghoga said: "We have rejected it. It did not include the departure of Gaddafi, his sons and his inner circle."

But TNC head Mustafa Abdul Jalil has conceded that Col Gaddafi is welcome to live out his retirement inside Libya as long as he gives up all power.