Vatican City, Oct 22 (IANS/AKI): The Vatican Friday recognised Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people and wished it success, a day after the killing of ousted leader Muammar Gaddafi.

"Given that the NTC is now acting effectively as the government in Tripoli, the Holy See considers it the legitimate representative of the Libyan people, in conformity with international law," the Vatican said in a statement.

Gaddafi was killed Thursday by forces led by the transitional government that two months ago conquered the capital Tripoli.

Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican's secretary for relations with states, had spoken with Abdurrahman M. Shalgham, permanent representative of Libya to the UN, in September at the opening of the UN General Assembly, the statement said.

Archbishop Tommaso Caputo, ambassador to Libya based in Malta, travelled to Tripoli Oct 2-4 and met Mahmoud Jibril, prime minister of the NTC.

"During these various meetings the importance of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Libya was affirmed by both sides. The Holy See renewed its support for the Libyan people and for the transition. It wished the new authorities every success in their rebuilding the country," the statement said.