On the same day that Libya's interim government took its seat in the general assembly of the United Nations, the African Union said in a statement on Tuesday that it has officially recognised Libya's new rulers, the National Transitional Council as the country's de facto government.

The statement by the group's chairman legitimising the NTC as the country's leadership was transmitted in the South African city of Johannesburg, by the office of President Jacob Zuma, who has led the group's mediation efforts in Libya.

The recognition removes another piece of diplomatic support for ousted leader Muammar Al Qathafi who was deposed after an uprising after 42 years in power.

The president of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Obiang Nguema said the African Union recognises the National Transitional Council (NTC) as the representative of the Libyan people as they form an all-inclusive transitional government that will occupy the Libyan seat at the African Union".

The AU said it was ready to support the NTC in its efforts to build an inclusive government.

It also urged the NTC to protect African migrant workers following reports of black Africans being targeted by militia units hunting down mercenaries loyal to Al Qathafi.

The AU's switch was likely to bring a modicum of pressure to bear on long-standing leaders such as Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe, who expelled Libya's ambassador at the end of August after he switched allegiance from Al Qathafi to the NTC.