An embassy official, speaking to AFP, said the embassy had earlier in the day hauled down the old regime's green flag and the flag of the African Union.

The official, who declined to give his name, said he could not say when the embassy may switch to the new red, black and green banner, which was used after independence in 1951.

Russia, which has traditionally had close ties to Qadhafi, has not rushed to recognise the new regime, with President Dmitry Medvedev saying the Kremlin would recognise the Libyan rebels if they "unite the country."

Medvedev warned Wednesday that the Kremlin's old ally Qadhafi still retained influence over the North African country.