"The council of ministers decided today (Tuesday) to recognise the National Transitional Council as the legitimate and only representative of the Libyan people," the statement said.

Baghdad's recognition of the NTC came a day after Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki predicted Libya would not follow the example of his country's post-invasion chaos with the overthrow of strongman Moamer Kadhafi.

"It will not end in a tribal conflict because it is an oppressed people's struggle," Nuri al-Maliki told journalists. "We stand ... with all people who are looking for their freedom."

Libyan rebels on Tuesday launched a massive offensive on Qadhafi's Tripoli compound, as the veteran leader's son refuted reports of his own arrest.

Rebels also pushed through the eastern front and were advancing on the oil hub town of Ras Lanuf on the road to Kadhafi's hometown of Sirte, a rebel spokesman said.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011