The UN Security Council has unanimously imposed travel bans and asset freezes on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, members of his family and inner circle.
Saturday's resolution adopted by the 15-nation council also called for the immediate referral of the deadly crackdown against anti-government demonstrators in Libya to the International Criminal Court in The Hague for investigation and possible prosecution of anyone responsible for killing civilians.
The council demanded an "immediate end to the violence and for steps to address the legitimate demands of the population" in Libya.
It called for Libyan authorities to act "with restraint, respect human rights and international humanitarian law," and facilitate immediate access for international human rights monitors.
The council called for an immediate lifting of restrictions "on all forms of media" and for the safety of foreign nationals to be assured and their departure facilitated.
Under the arms embargo, UN members will take immediate and necessary measures to "prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to Libya ... of arms and related material of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment".
Libya would be prohibited from importing all arms and related material and all UN members should prevent their nationals from exporting them.
The travel ban and assets will target the 68-year-old Libyan leader, his adult children, other family members and top defence and intelligence officials accused of playing a role in the bloodshed.
'Moral support'
Sixteen names are on the sanctions list.
The council said its actions were aimed at "deploring the gross and systematic violation of human rights, including the repression of peaceful demonstrators".
And members expressed concern about civilian deaths, "rejecting unequivocally the incitement to hostility and violence against the civilian population made from the highest level of the Libyan government".
The day was consumed mainly with haggling behind closed doors over language that would refer Libya's violent crackdown on protesters to the International Criminal Court, or ICC, at the Hague.
All 15 nations on the council ultimately approved referring the case to the permanent war crimes tribunal.
Council members did not consider imposing a no-fly zone over Libya, and no UN-sanctioned military action was planned.
The Libyan deputy UN envoy described the adoption of sanctions as "moral support" to those resisting Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
Ibrahim Dabbashi, one of the first Libyan diplomats to denounce Gaddafi and defect, said the council's move "will help put an end to this fascist regime which is still in existence in Tripoli"
The United Nations Security Council has unanimously imposed "biting sanctions" on Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, and four of the most influential members of his immediate family. Resolution 1970 included a travel ban and asset freeze on the following Libyan figures:
Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, took power in 1969 in a bloodless coup. In recent days, Gaddafi has lost control of much of the country as protesters have fought against security forces that remain loyal to him. Many members of his regime - including diplomats, military personnel and members of government - have defected.
Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, Muammar Gaddafi's second-oldest son, has been accused of inciting violence. He is the second most visible face of the Libyan regime. Saif al-Islam was, until he played a key role in the regime's attempts to suppress the protest movement, viewed as a potential ally by many in the West, who considered him the most inclined to reform and open the country.
Saadi Gaddafi, the leader's third son, is being targeted for his role as the commander of the country's special forces, which have been cracking down on the protesters. As well as playing a supportive role in his father's government, the leader's third son has also been captain of the Libyan football team. He played for Italy's Perugia club, until he tested positive for performance-inducing steroids after just one match. Khamis Gaddafi, heads the Khamis Brigade, an army special forces brigade that is equipped with sophisticated weaponry.
Aisha Gaddafi is the leader's only daughter. Few days ago, she denied fleeing the country on Libyan state television. Aisha is a lawyer and was a member of Saddam Hussein's defence team in 2004. The UN dropped her as a goodwill ambassador this week. | ||||||||
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