Egypt's Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr has announced Egypt's official recognition of Libya's Transitional National Council (TNC) as the legitimate representative of the Libyan state.

The recognition was announced in a joint press conference with the the representative of the Libyan council in Cairo, Abdul Mon'em al-Houni. The announcement followed the developments in the Libyan capital Tripoli where long time Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime collapsed as the rebels reached the centre of Libyan rule.

The late Egyptian recognition was subject to speculation, which Amr addressed by saying that Egypt has had "good and continuous relations with the council" since the beginning, presenting al-Houni as a source who would confirm this.

Al-Houni said that Egypt's former foreign minister Nabil El-Arabi had assured him that it was only a matter of procedures and that recognition of the council is on its way.

"We thank Egypt that has helped make this revolution succeed, because the Mubarak regime's downfall helped Gaddafi's downfall, for they are allies," said al-Houni, adding that in the case of Gaddafi's arrest, he may be handed over to the International Criminal Court, as TNC head Moustapha Abdul Jalil sees fit, or he would be tried for his crimes inside Libya. "There are two opinions on the issue" he said.

As for the future of NATO operations in Libya and whether there is a plan or specific timetable for the Alliance to halt its operations, al-Houni said that the UN Security Council will hold a session soon to discuss the issue, mentioning that Libya has asked Egypt to be of assistance.

On a related note, Amr said that 38 Egyptians who were detained by Gaddafi were released and that Egyptians are now safe under the Transitional Council.

Egypt will also help in removing mines planted by Gaddafi around Brega, Amr said.