The Arab League has now recognized the rebel National Transitional Council as the legitimate government of Libya. Meanwhile, the United States has asked the U.N. Security Council to unfreeze $1.5 billion in Libyan assets for the cash-strapped rebels in a move to bypass opposition from South Africa, which has close ties to Gaddafi. The Qatari minister Khald Al-Attiyah said money was urgently needed.

Khald Al-Attiyah, Qatar Minister for International Cooperation: “Of primary importance, it is immediate need to pay the salaries for the civil and public servants who have not been paid anything for nearly six months now, which amount to approximately $2.5 billion, as estimated by the TNC. We strongly believe that this action should be taken before Eid al-Fitr, which commences at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. We also feel that this will have a very positive and emotional impact over the the Libyan people, who have suffered for a long time from lack of humanitarian needs.”