Germany says the rebel National Transitional Council is the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.
On a visit to the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, Foreign Affairs Minister Guido Westerwelle said that Germany and the rebels share the same goal - a Libya without the Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
And he told a news conference on Monday that the National Transitional Council is the legitimate representative of the Libyan people.
About a dozen states have recognised the National Transitional Council. They include France, Italy, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has urged African leaders to follow suit and abandon Colonel Gaddafi.
The BBC reports Germany previously came under criticism for its refusal to back a UN Security Council resolution authorising NATO action to protect Libyan civilians.
The National Transitional Council emerged from the forces which began a revolt against Colonel Gaddafi's rule on 16 February.
