The NATO coalition fighting Col. Muammar Gaddafi’s forces has agreed to create a fund supporting Libya’s rebel Transitional National Council. At a meeting in Rome, the Contact Group on Libya agreed to loan the rebels around $250 million. The rebels have appealed for up to $3 billion, half of that for basic humanitarian supplies. Libyan rebel leader Mahmoud Jibril called the meeting a step toward international recognition of the rebel movement.

Mahmoud Jibril: “Well, when we first came here, you know, there were rumors that about three or four countries are going to announce their recognition today, you know. To be honest with you, just the mere fact that we are staying with them in the same room receiving us, pledging all types of support, this is a recognition in itself.”