After more than eight hours of deliberations, the African Union (AU) has decided not to throw its support behind the Libyan rebel administration. It is a decision that some see as proof of Muammar Gaddafi's lingering influence over the organisation he headed as recently as two years ago.

But just how significant is AU recognition - or the lack of it - for the National Transitional Council (NTC)? And why is the AU so reluctant to recognise the NTC? How will a post-Gaddafi Libya impact Africa?

Inside Story discusses with guests: Miguna Miguna, a former advisor to Raila Odinga, the Kenyan prime minister; David Anderson, a professor of African Politics at the University of Oxford; and Guma El Gamaty, the UK representative of the NTC.