Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi has rejected the recognition by 40 countries and international organizations of the rebel Transitional National Council as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.

"Tramp this silly recognition under your feet," Gaddafi told his supporters in an audio message broadcast Friday night on state-run Libyan TV.

Open gallery view In this photo taken on a guided government tour, supporters of Libya's leader Muammar Gadhafi take part in a rally in the town of Zlitan, 160km east of Tripoli, July 15, 2011. Credit: Reuters

"Their decisions ... their recognition ... they are all now under your feet. Stomp on them," he added.

The Libya Contact Group, which met on Friday in Istanbul announced that it recognized the Libyan rebels' council as the representative of the people and a "government authority."

The meeting was the fourth of the group since the armed conflict began in Libya five months ago. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced for the first time Washington officially recognized the TNC.

The diplomats discussed ways to end the conflict between troops loyal to Gadhafi and the rebels. The participants in the meeting reiterated calls on Gadhafi to step down.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that various ways to increase pressure on Gadhafi were also discussed.

He added that the rebels were in need of humanitarian and financial aid ahead of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, urging members of the group to release part of the Libyan assets they had frozen so the rebels could be given a $200 million credit.

On Thursday, Gadhafi vowed in an audio message to fight back, saying: "I too will redeem you with my own life ... I will fight until the end.

