Libya's interim authorities say they have found a mass grave holding the remains of 1,270 people killed by Moammar Gadhafi's security forces.

The grave was discovered near Tripoli's Abu Salim prison, where the victims were killed in 1996 after protesting conditions in the facility. Lingering anger over the massacre helped spark the revolt that toppled Mr. Gadhafi last month.

Officials say investigators found the site two weeks ago, using information obtained from witnesses and former Gadhafi officials.

Elsewhere in Libya, NATO warplanes pounded Mr. Gadhafi's hometown of Sirte on Sunday.

Fighters for the National Transitional Council pushed into the town center on Saturday but met stiff resistance from pro-Gadhafi forces. The fighters later withdrew to clear the way for the NATO airstrikes.

Mr. Gadhafi's whereabouts remain unknown.

On Friday, his daughter Aisha released an audio recording in which she said her father is in high spirits and is fighting alongside supporters.

The NTC has said an interim Libyan government will be announced this week. NTC chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil spoke Saturday in Benghazi, where the NTC has been meeting to discuss the new government's formation.

Jalil said two seats would be reserved for representatives from Sirte. A spokesman said earlier the government would include 22 ministers and a deputy prime minister.