WELLINGTON - New Zealand will recognise the National Transitional Council as the legitimate voice of the Libyan people.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told a press conference on Monday that New Zealand's Ambassador in Cairo was preparing to travel to Benghazi to meet with members of the National Transitional Council, also known as the Libyan National Council.

The Council was formed by anti-Muammar Gadhafi forces.

Key said Gadhafi had two choices -- to stay in the country and fight to the end or leave as his opponents wanted.

"We sincerely hope he chooses the latter course."  To stay would cause unnecessary bloodshed, he said.

Since the violence began in Libya, and particularly the capital city of Tripoli, New Zealanders have been advised to stay away.

Key said seven New Zealanders had chosen to stay and were in constant contact with the embassy in Egypt.