Libya’s new rulers promised to investigate allegations of “serious abuses” including war crimes as their position was consolidated when the World Bank recognised them as the official government.

The National Transitional Council was yesterday responding to a report released on Tuesday by London-based human rights watchdog Amnesty International that accused the fighters who brought down Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

The NTC acknowledged “a small number of incidents involving those opposed to Col Gaddafi” and vowed to investigate Amnesty’s allegations.

Amnesty said in the first days of the uprising groups of anti-Gaddafi protesters killed a number of captured soldiers and suspected mercenaries.

“Some were beaten to death, at least three were hanged, and others were shot dead after they had been captured or had surrendered,” Amnesty said.

“The NTC is facing a difficult task of reining in opposition fighters and vigilante groups responsible for serious human rights abuses, including possible war crimes, but has shown unwillingness to hold them accountable,” it said.

But Amnesty acknowledged the alleged atrocities were of a “smaller scale” than those carried out by Col Gaddafi’s regime, which it says may be responsible for crimes against humanity.

In a statement issued in its eastern bastion of Benghazi, the council’s executive committee said it “strongly condemns any abuses perpetrated by either side”. “The NTC is firmly committed to human rights and the rule of law, both international and local,” it said.

In his first public speech since arriving in Tripoli on Saturday, Libya’s interim leader Mustafa Abdel Jalil told thousands of supporters in Martyrs’ Square that moderate Islam would be Libya’s main source of legislation.

“We will not accept any extremist ideology, on the right or the left. We are a Muslim people, for a moderate Islam, and we will stay on this road,” he said on Monday night.

The World Bank said its decision was based on “evolving events in Libya and the views of member countries”.

It pledged a major rebuilding role after the seven-month insurrection that ousted the fugitive Col Gaddafi.

The NTC meanwhile continued to seek the surrender of Col Gaddafi diehards who have been mounting attacks against its fighters from a few enclaves, including the oasis town of Bani Walid, southeast of Tripoli.

Col Gaddafi, wanted for crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, remains in hiding.

Nato said it did not know if Col Gaddafi senior was still in Libya.

“He has not made public appearances in the country for a while and this raises questions about his whereabouts,” spokesman Colonel Roland Lavoie told reporters from the operation’s headquarters in Naples, Italy.

Thirty-two members of Co Gaddafi’s inner circle, including his son Saadi, have fled to Niger.

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