Mass grave discovered in Gaddafi hometown, NATO and NTC blamed

Tripoli - A human rights group says it has discovered 53 decomposing bodies, apparently of Muammar Gaddafi loyalists, some of whom may have been executed by revolutionary forces.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch said Monday that the discovery in Gaddafi's hometown of Sirte "seems part of a trend of killings, looting and other abuses committed by anti-Gaddafi fighters who consider themselves above the law".

The group urged Libyan authorities to rein in armed groups.

The latest discovery of the grave came to light as Libya's new leaders declared the country liberated, following a brutal eight-month civil war. The declaration was overshadowed by continued questions about whether Gaddafi was executed after capture last week.

The US and Britain have called for an investigation.