US President Drums Support in Libyan Crisis Response

World | February 25, 2011, Friday // 08:33|  views

The US, while appalled by the violence, has been circumspect in its rhetoric on Libya's crackdown, and some critics have lambasted President Barack Obama for not taking a more strident stance in favor of the pro-reform protesters. Photo by BGNES

US President Barack Obama has called the leaders of the UK, France and Italy to gather support for a joint response to the crisis in Libya.

According to a BBC report, Obama outlined a range of possible measures, including plans for humanitarian assistance while the White House has said earlier that all options were on the table, together with sanctions. The military is to present its own proposals to the President.

"The president expressed his deep concern with the Libyan government's use of violence which violates international norms and every standard of human decency. The leaders discussed the range of options... to hold the Libyan government accountable for its actions, as well as planning for humanitarian assistance," the White House said in a statement.

US officials further announce the steps could include seeking stronger action by the UN Security Council - including possible sanctions such as travel bans and asset freezes, support for calls to suspend Libya from the UN Human Rights Council, and enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya.

The UN Security Council is expected to meet later Friday in New York to consider further action against Gaddafi's government.

When asked earlier whether the US was considering military action, White House spokesman Jay Carney said he could not rule out "bilateral options".

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is due to travel to Geneva on Monday for a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council focusing on Libya.

The Swiss government has ordered an immediate freeze on assets belonging to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his associates.

Russia's and China's position on the situation in Libya remains unclear.

Speaking on state television Thursday, Gaddafi blamed the uprising on al-Qaeda and reiterated claims hallucinogenic drugs had been given to young people to incite them to revolt.

Fierce fighting has been reported in towns close to Tripoli, as forces loyal to him try to regain control of areas seized by the opposition.

Witnesses tell BBC pro-Gaddafi militiamen - including foreign mercenaries - had been patrolling the Tripoli's main streets, firing in the air.  Security is stepped up outside key government buildings, and homes and hospitals had been raided in search of opposition supporters.

The government has lost control of most of the country's east. Opposition leaders met on Thursday in the city of al-Bayda to demonstrate a united front against Gaddafi's grip on power.

Meanwhile Gaddafi's cousin and close aide, Ahmed Qadhaf al-Dam, dealt another blow by announcing he had defected to Egypt in protest at the "grave violations to human rights".

The death toll remains unknown. Human Rights Watch has confirmed nearly 300 deaths, but the International Federation for Human Rights says at least 700 people have been killed.

A French doctor in Benghazi told BBC that as many as 2 000 people might have died in the east alone.

Thousands of foreign nationals trying to flee Libya in a mass rescue effort by air and sea.

Turkey evacuated more than 7 000 of its citizens by ship with 50 Bulgarians reported to be on their long journey home on the Turkish ship "Iskenderun."  Ferries brought more than four thousand Chinese workers to Crete.

Larger numbers have crossed the border with Egypt and Tunisia.

A US-chartered ferry carrying nearly 300 people remains stuck in the Tripoli port because of bad weather.

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Tags: rescue, Uprising, opposition, Tripoli, Gaddafi, White House, Barack Obama, Libyan crisis, Hillary Clinton, UN Security Council, protests, Muammar Gaddafi, al-Qaeda, UN Human Rights Council

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