The Arab states in the Gulf stressed this evening that the Libyan regime of Muammar Gaddafi is illegitimate and that contacts should be initiated with the rebels.

"The (GCC) foreign ministers council stresses that the existing Libyan regime is illegitimate and calls for the need to initiate contacts with the interim national council," a statement said following a GCC foreign ministers' meeting in the Saudi capital.

The six-nation alliance urged Arab League foreign ministers, who are due to meet in Cairo on Saturday, "to shoulder their responsibilities in taking necessary measures to stop the bloodshed."

Earlier today France said it recognised the rebels as the only legitimate representatives of the Libyan people.

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