France has announced it will be the first state to recognize the rebel Libyan National Council as the country’s legitimate representative, Jerusalem Post reports.   

French President Nicolas Sarkozy voiced intention during the meeting with the representatives of the Council held in Paris on Thursday.

After the meeting a French official said the country would send its ambassador to Benghazi and receive a Libyan envoy in Paris.

A wave of unrest continues in Libya since February. The demonstrators protest against leader Muammar Gaddafi who has been in power for more than 40 years. Gaddafi’s opponents seized many cities in the eastern part of the country. Clashes between rebels and pro-Gaddafi forces continue.

Four Armenian citizens were evacuated from Libya on February 23.