Libyan opposition leaders have met in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi, looking for ways to build a new government. Their meeting aims to bring together leaders from across the country, including areas still under the control of Muammar Gaddafi.

The head of the "Interim Transitional National Council" is urging delegates to help bring forward what he calls "a new Libya". An opposition spokesman, says the Transitional National Council will be completed to represent all Libyan people.

Mohamed Shebani, Opposition spokesman, said, "Everybody, everybody will be here, everybody will be represented so that in this way the Council will be legal, accepted. So we hope that the world will understand us, deal with us, cooperate with us and we need the recognition. Tell them to give us the recognition. OK? Thank you very much."

Opposition leader, Mahmoud Gibril, had earlier met with senior US officials in Washington to seek funds and political recognition. The US President's national Security Advisor Tom Donilon, says Washington views the opposition as legitimate and credible. The White House is discussing with Congress the possibility of accessing blocked Libyan government assets in the US, valued at some 30-billion US dollars. They say it is for humanitarian purposes in Libya.