UN Security Council Imposes Sanctions on Libyan Leaders
VOA News
February 26, 2011
Photo: AP / Mary Altaffer
British Ambassador to the United Nations Mark Lyall Grant and American Ambassador Susan Rice vote during a Security Council vote on the peace and security in Africa, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011 at U. N. headquarters.
The United Nations Security Council has voted unanimously to impose sanctions against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, his immediate family and his top associates in connection with the regime's deadly response to anti-government protests, and to refer the matter to a war crimes tribunal.
The resolution, passed Saturday evening, freezes the assets of Mr. Gadhafi, his four sons, a daughter and 10 members of his inner circle. It also imposes a travel ban on all 16. Council members also agreed to refer the regime's crackdown to a permanent war crimes tribunal for an investigation of possible crimes against humanity.
The council also again demanded an immediate end to attacks on Libyan civilians by Mr. Gadhafi's supporters.
The United Nations says more than 1,000 anti-government protesters have been killed in Libya.
In Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama says Mr. Gadhafi has "lost the legitimacy to rule" and should step down immediately.
The White House said that Mr. Obama made the remarks in a telephone conversation Saturday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The statement adds that the U.S. and German leaders shared "deep concerns" about the ongoing violent crackdown against protesters in Libya, and discussed "appropriate and effective ways" for the international community to respond.
Also Saturday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the U.S. was taking steps to hold Mr. Gadhafi's government "accountable for its violation of human rights." She said the State Department has revoked the U.S. visas held by Libyan leaders and members of their immediate family.
Mr. Obama Friday signed an executive order imposing unilateral sanctions on Libya, saying continued unrest and violence there posed an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security and foreign policy. The same day, the European Union agreed to impose an arms embargo on Libya, along with a travel ban and assets freeze.
Italy's prime minister - formerly an ally of Mr. Gadhafi - says it appears the Libyan leader is no longer in control of the country. Silvio Berlusconi said Saturday if the international community pulls together, it can stop the "bloodbath and support the Libyan people."
The U.N. said Mr. Ban phoned Mr. Berlusconi Saturday to discuss Libya and ask for Italy's support in the international effort to handle the crisis. The U.N. said Mr. Ban also reached out to Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah, underscoring Saudi Arabia's key religious and political role in the region.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, says there are reports of mass killings in Libya that should spur the international community to step in to end the violence. She called for an independent investigation of the reports that thousands of Libyans have been killed or wounded by Libyan security forces.
U.N. Sanctions. What a laughable concept. Funny how certain countries seem to be immune to sanctions whilst being heavily backed by a superpowers and others get the full force of law unleashed on them. Whilst the U.N. has done many wonderful things for the world, some of the bias decisions go quite unnoticed and must be brought to attention.
It is perfectly fine for the USA to commit war in Iraq and Afghanistan killing hundreds of thousand. If you big and powerful, you can get away with murder.
It is against the rules of the game for Gadhafi to step down leaving his supporters vulnerable to a bloodbath. He surely will step down but his supporters will remain in power. The leaders of the protest movement will be paid billions to send their followers home for a long rest. That is the way the game is played and the rules never change.
How many defenseless citizens have to be sacrificed to compel the members of the counsel to force one serial murder Qaddafi out of power? We did it in Iraq although it was a little bit to late.
Unanimous vote . The world coming together to right an injustice. Asset freeze, travel ban, arms embargo, and government crackdown on protesters to be investigated by war crimes tribunal.. Good Work United Nations !!
What a joke. Sanctions, while the leaders gun protesters down in the streets.
hypocrisy has ruined the world and small countries are the play ground of giants. lets be fair giant okey we re sorry but we need the people behind all these political unrest's to come on board. why is it all for Africa its an fair because the UN was not only meant for Africa. Those sections will never work if the people behind are not known and brought on board.
Dictators are dictators. Bahrain and Egypt are US allies and serves her interest. Libya is not. Libyan action helps deafening the Bahrain cause which is still ongoing. That is how the world works.
B. who are you referring to?
Libyans can not escape way from bloodshed and massacre because Moammar and his sons deem who oppose them as betrayers who deserve execution without any mercy . Saif delved into any plea to justify violation of human rights which indicates the situation is going to deteriorate into worst till Moammar step down his wealth and presidency .
After I saw bodyguards women of Moammar I realized how Libyan have been suffering form this regime . People can barely feed their children while few people enjoy themselves and their sons at the wealth of their nation . What a life ! I understand now why Libyans protest till last breath to gain their essential rights and freedom .
The UN Security Council is completely influenced by super powers and they, for their own national strategic interests take such measures, It is funny that why security council is not taking measures against the US led forces irresponsible air strikes in Afghanistan which results outnumbered civilian casualties. They observe humanitarian law only if there exist their own national interest otherwise no one cares.
Who is this monster that is sucking people' blood in Libya, and the U.S and U.N fear it? So the U.N is only using sanction to stop this monster.Please, U.S save Libya.
UN should walk their talk. we have heard sanctions on tyrant rulers theoretically.
we need actions .we are tired!!!!!!
How about all the people the U.S. have killed in afg why isn't the u.s. getting sanctions
Why is this not happening in Israel? The US should stop backing Israel
U.N has no reputation and is a tool used by the West to their advantage. Come on, Why here and not there? The word "justice" is greatly needed in United Nations.
U.N has no reputation and is a tool used by the West to their advantage. Come on, Why here and not there? The word "justice" is greatly needed in United Nations.
you know why theUN have imposed sanctions on libya leaders??????????????????? to do the same what thay era doing in Iraq............. be concened about libyian blood not the oil
Pres Ghadafi must be put before court of justice and jailed for life for assaulting the lifes of the civilians and must be forced to take off from the throne
With 100,000 evacuees now at neigboring countries,there is an urgent need to feed them.International efforts must come and come very quickly.
I appreciate the unusual speed with which the UN has acted to impose sanctions on Gadhafi, his family and close associates. Is there any way the UN can help African workers trapped in Lybia get out safely?
@S. Justice is really needed in Islam which projects injust and inhumane Shari'a. It is tyranny, abusive, sexually exploitive, and treats non-Muslim as rejects. Justice goes to those who treat others justly.
perhaps the Libyan leader is ill,?
@Sans in countries that are mainly Islamic do not project hate however the US Israel continue to use the religion as reason for the unwanted relationships with the WEST. With Libya the situation is being handled differently and I pray that it does not turn into the situation like afghan. we can’t deny the crude oil that un and us can gain by occupying Libya if Gaddafi does not leave peaceful.
@Prayer: explain why Shari'a demands death for free speech, bondage and abuse of females, non-Muslim are taxed, special permits for churches, cannot serve in military, or hold top positions in government, allows men to marry up to 4 females and the females may be as young as 9 years. You cannot say to any Christian or Westerner that Shari'a isn't slavery.
U.N. Sanctions. This is a joke. Some countries seem to be immune to sanctions. Why is Libya situation handled differently ? There are so many countries that the situation are worst than in Libya. People are dying everyday in North Africa yet the UK & USA seem to be focused more on Libya. WHY ?
@boko: Why do you assume it is the US/UK responsibility to do anything in North Africa? The Arab League and AU were created to take care of problems in Africa. Blame them if things aren't working our as you'd wish them too.
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