The head of Libya's transitional authorities has called for Nato to extend its mission in Libya until the end of the year.

利比亚临时政府要求北约延长其任务期限至今年年底。

National Transitional Council (NTC) Chairman Mustafa Abdul Jalil said the extension was needed to help Libyans trying to control surplus weapons and to deal with Gaddafi loyalists.

Nato has delayed a making a formal decision on when to end its mission.

It had made a preliminary decision to end operations on 31 October.

Diplomats¹ had been expected to confirm that date on Wednesday.

"We hope (Nato) will continue its campaign until at least the end of this year to serve us and neighbouring countries," Mr Jalil told a gathering² in Qatar of states that have supported the NTC's military campaign.

He said his appeal was aimed at "ensuring that no arms are infiltrated³ into those countries and to ensure the security of Libyans from some remnants of [ex-leader Col Muammar] Gaddafi's forces who have fled to nearby countries".

Mr Jalil added that the NTC wanted help "developing Libya's defence and security systems".

Nato, which has been operating in Libya since March under a UN mandate⁴（授权，命令） to protect civilians⁵, said it would now make a formal decision on the length of its mission on Friday.

"As agreed, NATO continues to monitor the situation on the ground, and retains the capability⁶ to respond to any threats to civilians," said Nato spokeswoman Carmen Romero.

"The situation remains⁷ calm as the NTC continues to establish its authority."

Rights concerns

Speaking on the sidelines of the Qatar meeting, Qatari chief of staff Maj Gen Hamad bin⁸ Ali al-Atiya told Agence France-Presse that his country had deployed⁹ ground troops in Libya.

"The numbers of Qataris on ground were hundreds in every region," he was quoted as saying.

The small but gas-rich Gulf¹⁰ state, which has played a dynamic role in Libya, had previously¹¹ acknowledged contributing to Nato's air campaign there.

Meanwhile, the NTC came under pressure from human rights bodies following questions surrounding the death of Col Gaddafi last week, and allegations that NTC forces may have executed dozens of their opponents.

"I call on all the armed forces to avoid any act of reprisal¹² and arbitrary repression¹³ against both Libyans and foreigners," said Philippe Kirsch, the head of a UN commission of enquiry on Libya.

Col Gaddafi was shot dead after he was captured alive in his birthplace, Sirte.

NTC officials have suggested he was caught in crossfire¹⁴, but rights groups have voiced concerns that he and his son Mutassim were summarily executed.

In recent days, images have emerged from video footage of the moments after Col Gaddafi's capture that appear to show him being sodomised with a pole or knife.

In a statement, the NTC said it attached "great importance" to the humane¹⁵ treatment of prisoners and that fair trials would be guaranteed.