Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said his country recognizes the leadership of the Libyan rebels as the sole legitimate representatives of the country.

The show of diplomatic support by Turkey, a key regional player and the only Muslim-majority member of NATO, gave a boost to the rebels. The nod came amid growing international isolation of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Davutoglu visited the rebel stronghold of Benghazi in eastern Libya on Sunday, July 3. He said his country has given the rebels' Transitional National Council $300 million, two-thirds as a loan and one-third as a grant, AP reported.

France, Italy, Qatar and several others in the region have already recognized the rebel government.