A mass grave containing the remains of 1,270 inmates killed by the regime of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in a 1996 prison massacre has been uncovered in Libya.

The site was found near Tripoli's Abu Salim prison, where the victims were killed on June 26, 1996, after protesting at conditions at the facility.

The announcement was made today by Dr Ibrahim Abu Sahima of the government committee overseeing the search for victims of the former regime.

He said investigators found the grave two weeks ago after getting information from captured regime officials and witnesses.

Officials will ask for international assistance in identifying the remains.