The Washington Post reports that in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi, a committee made up of lawyers and judges has helped to ensure security in the area and to co-ordinate public services such as street cleaning and traffic control.

Lawyers have already played a leading role in the protest movement to end the 41-year reign of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

Over 200 lawyers staged a sit-in protest at a Libyan courthouse last week and the Libyan Justice Minister Mustapha Abdel Jalil resigned in protest at the use of excessive force against the protesters in the early days of the uprising. It has been reported that Abdel Jalil had formed a transitional government involving civilian and military figures, with the hope of holding democratic elections in Libya later in the year.

Gaddafi retains control of Tripoli, but the international community and increasing numbers of army personnel and senior government figures have spoken out against him.

The United Nations Security Council has ordered an investigation into possible crimes against humanity committed by Gaddafi.

Abdel Jalil has already told the media that he has evidence Gaddafi personally authorised the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 that killed 270 aircraft passengers.