UN Security Council To Discuss Response To Libya
By VOA
The United Nations Security Council meets Friday to discuss a response to the situation in Libya.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is expected to speak at the meeting.
French Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie told French radio early Friday that France and Britain together are proposing a total arms embargo, economic sanctions, and action by the International Criminal Court to deal with crimes against humanity.
The European Union has already decided to prepare new sanctions against Libya, and the U.S. has said it is also considering sanctions.
Thursday, U.S. President Barack Obama said he is deeply concerned about the Libyan government’s use of force which he says violates “every standard of human decency.” A White House statement Thursday said Mr. Obama expressed his concerns in phone calls with the heads of state of Britain, France, and Italy.
The statement said the leaders all affirmed their “strong support” for the “universal rights” of the Libyan people, and discussed options their countries are considering both to hold Libya’s government accountable and to provide humanitarian relief there.
State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters earlier Thursday the United States supports expelling Libya from the United Nation’s top human rights body.
Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is facing international pressure over his government’s violent clampdown against protesters. Crowley said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will go to Geneva for international talks next week aimed at stopping the crackdown.
