( CNN ) -- Officials with Libya 's interim government are reassuring the West that their religious views are moderate , after the country 's interim leader called for the country 's new laws to be based on Sharia , or Islamic law . At a rally on Sunday in Benghazi , National Transitional Council leader Mustafa Abdul Jalil said , `` As a Muslim country , we have adopted the Islamic Sharia as the main source of law . Accordingly , any law that contradicts Islamic principles with the Islamic Sharia is ineffective legally . '' Jalil also suggested in his speech that he would like to see new Islamic rules implemented to limit how banks charge interest , and put an end to some of the Gadhafi-era restrictions on polygamy . `` The law of marriage and divorce , which deals with polygamy -- this law is against Islamic Sharia , and is now halted , '' he said . That kind of talk could raise concerns among the fledgling government 's Western backers . In many Muslim countries , Sharia law forms the basis for the constitution , but is interpreted moderately . But in some , such as Iran and Saudi Arabia , it is seen as grounds for cutting off the hand of a convicted thief , or even stoning a woman to death for adultery . Secretary of State Hillary Clinton , visiting Tripoli just last week , offered a warning when she was asked whether there should be a role for Islamists in the new Libya . `` Groups and individuals who really believe in democracy should be welcome into that process , '' she said . `` But groups that want to undermine democracy or subvert it are going to have to be dealt with -- by the Libyans themselves . '' But Libya 's ambassador to the United States , Ali Suleiman Aujali , says the West should not be alarmed . `` Sharia law , Islamic law , it is not against democracy , it is not against equality , is not against the relations with the other countries based on interests and respect and cooperation . '' He says that women now enjoy new rights since the end of Moammar Gadhafi 's regime . `` There is no restriction against Libyan women to do anything now in Libya , '' he says . And Jalil on Monday quickly reassured the international community that Libyans are moderate Muslims . State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said , `` We were encouraged to see President Jalil make a clarification . '' But she reiterated a warning to Libya and other Islamic countries in transition , saying that `` the number one thing is that universal human rights , rights for women , rights for minorities , right to due process , right to transparency be fully respected . '' Jalil 's embrace of Islam 's role in Libya comes just as voters in neighboring Tunisia handed a victory to the moderate Islamist party Ennahda . `` Islam is clearly going to play a much stronger role across the region , '' says Robin Wright , a Mideast expert at the U.S. Institute of Peace . `` Whether it 's Tunisia , Libya , Egypt , and beyond -- as countries redefine their political systems , they are going to want to use the values of their faith to help define what they want next . But that does n't mean necessarily they 're going to be rigid Islamist regimes . '' Still , she says , Libyan women are very concerned about equal rights in the post-Gadhafi era . `` The idea of allowing polygamy again -- or allowing the husband to marry again without asking permission of the first wife -- is something that is going to really resonate throughout Libya , '' she said .
NTC leader Jalil said : `` We have adopted the Islamic Sharia as the main source of law '' and we will not allow any other religion to be imposed on us. In many Muslim countries , Sharia law is interpreted moderately . But in some , such as Iran and Saudi Arabia , it is interpreted and enforced strictly .