The US formally recognized the rebel leadership in Libya- The transitional National Council- as the country's legitimate government on 15 July 2011. The move, made at an international gathering of 30 countries including US in Istanbul to discuss the five month old con flict in Libya, ratcheted of the diplomatic pressure on col.
Muammar Gaddafi amid a continuing NATO led bomb ing Campaign to push him from power. The British gov emment on 27 July 2011 announced the expulsion of all Libyan diplomats after deciding to recognize the TNC as the 'Sale Governmental Authority'.