WASHINGTON: A group of US senators on Friday called on President Barack Obama to open a US embassy in Benghazi, the capital of rebel-held Libya.

The move comes after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Istanbul announced that Washington recognized Libya's Transitional National Council (TNC) as the country's de facto government.

Republican Senators John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio and Independent Joe Lieberman welcomed the move, saying it “demonstrates America's commitment to support the Libyan people as they fight to liberate their country from the Qadhafi regime and establish democracy.”

In a statement, the senators urged the Obama administration “to increase our diplomatic presence in Benghazi, designate a US ambassador to the TNC, and give the TNC's representatives in Washington and New York full diplomatic rights and privileges.”

Western and regional powers, including the United States, on Friday designated the Benghazi-based NTC as the country's legitimate rulers, a move that gives them access to vital funds.

The recognition “should now open the door for more robust US and international support for the TNC, including facilitating their access to the frozen assets of the Qadhafi regime for the benefit of the Libyan people and to support the Nato mission,” the US senators wrote.

The senators “strongly urge” the Obama administration “to remove any remaining obstacles to the TNC's ability to gain access to these frozen assets as soon as possible.”