Libya: United States announces sanctions

BBC News, 25 February 2011

Mid-East Unrest

• Libya and Arab unrest Live
• Foreigner evacuation plans
• UN struggles over action in Libya
• Possible scenarios in Libya

The United States is to impose unilateral and multilateral sanctions on Libya, including halting operations from the US embassy in Libya.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said the US
was acting "to put pressure on the regime"

The US was acting "to put pressure on the regime" to cease the violence, White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

The move was made "in concert with our international partners," he added.

It was announced after reports from the Libyan capital said anti-government protesters in Tripoli had come under heavy gunfire.

There are reports of deaths and injuries, but no reliable information about casualties.

Protests in the city resumed as those seeking the overthrow of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi emerged from mosques following Friday prayers.

The people of Libya have expressed that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's continued use of "deadly violence" is unacceptable, Mr Carney said.

'Violence or atrocities'

The White House also said it was acting to cut off limited military assistance to Libya and had placed financial institutions on notice to watch for the sudden movement of funds from the country.

The US would not take any options off the table in regard to its response to the violence in Libya, including potential US military action, Mr Carney said.

"The United States is committed to utilizing the full extent of its capabilities to monitor the Gaddafi regime's behaviour to ensure that evidence is gathered of further violence or atrocities committed against the Libyan people," Mr Carney said.

"Colonel Gaddafi has lost the confidence of his people," he added, saying the leader's legitimacy has been "reduced to zero".

The Obama administration has been criticised for not responding swiftly enough to the turmoil in Libya, and Mr Carney's announcement is being seen as a significant shift in Washington's stance on the violence.

The news by the White House came as the last known US citizens in Libya were evacuated from the country.

A boat chartered by the US carrying more than 300 evacuees reached the safe shores of the Mediterranean island of Malta, and a chartered plane also flew US citizens out of the country and to Turkey.

Britain and India have also sent warships to Libya to carry foreign nationals to safety, while hundreds of sub-Saharan Africans are said to be fleeing southern Libya into Niger.

Isolating military leaders

The UN Security Council is due to meet later on Friday in New York to discuss options to respond to Libya's repression against its people.

Diplomats say Britain and France have drawn up a draft resolution with a package of measures aimed at isolating Libya's political and military leaders.

Meanwhile, Libyan state television has shown pictures of Col Gaddafi addressing a large crowd in Tripoli's Green Square.

He was shown speaking from the old city ramparts and urging the crowd to arm themselves and defend the nation and its oil against anti-government protesters who have taken control of large parts of the country.

"This is the people that brought Italy to its knees," he said, referring to the overthrow of Libya's colonial rulers. "I am amid the masses, and we shall fight, and we shall defeat them."

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