Libya's interim leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil has said that a commission of inquiry is to probe the controversial killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
"In response to international calls, we have started to put in place a commission tasked with investigating the circumstances of Muammar Gaddafi's death in the clash with his circle as he was being captured," Mr Abdel Jalil said.
He said all Libyans "wanted to try (Gaddafi) for what he has done to them. From executions, to imprisonment, to throwing away the Libyan wealth ... or using that wealth against the Libyan people."
"Some people may have wanted him to have been tried to extend their feeling of relief at his downfall," said Mr Abdel Jalil, who is the leader of the National Transitional Council.
"Free Libyans wanted Gaddafi to spend as much time in prison as possible and feel humiliation as much as possible," he added.
The UN human rights office has welcomed the announcement.
A spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said: ''We stress the need to ensure that due process is followed, in accordance with international law, in the treatment of all detainees."
Disquiet has grown internationally over how Gaddafi died - NTC fighters hauled him out of a drain where he was hiding following NATO air strikes on the convoy in which he had been trying to flee his falling hometown last Thursday.
NTC leaders, including Mr Abdel Jalil, are adamant he was shot in the head when he was caught in crossfire between his supporters and new regime fighters soon after his capture.
"Those who had interest in his speedy death were the ones who supported him," he said. "His speedy death would have been in their interest."
Mr Abdel Jalil also said that discussions were under way on forming Libya's next interim government and a decision was expected in about two weeks.
He said the NTC would discuss next week who would lead the new government, replacing Mahmoud Jibril, who stepped down at the weekend.
Mr Abdel Jalil, who yesterday said Libya had taken Islamic sharia law as its source of legislation, tried to assuage concerns that the country may drift towards religious extremism.
"I want to assure the international community that we as Libyans are moderate Muslims," he said.
France’s foreign ministry said today it will keep a watchful eye over Libya's respect for human rights after yesterday’s announcement.
"We will be watchful of respect for human rights and democratic principles, notably cultural and religious diversity and the equality of men and women to which France is unswervingly attached," spokesman Bernard Valero said.
