France recognises Libyan rebels to surprise of EU

FRANCE blazed a diplomatic trail as it recognised a newly formed Libyan opposition group, drawing the ire of other European nations for stepping out on its own even as the situation in Libya remained unclear.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy shook hands with two representatives of Libya’s Interim Governing Council on the steps of the Elysee Palace in Paris, as the European Union approved further sanctions to address the country’s bloody crackdown and declare Muammar Gaddafi’s strongman rule over.

“We must now engage in dialogue with the new representatives in Libya,” French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said.