[ Ссылка ] UNITED NATIONS — 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 five adult children, other family members and top defence and intelligence officials accused of playing a role in the bloodshed.

Sixteen names are on the sanctions list.
In Washington, U.S. President Barack Obama says Mr. Gaddafi 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. Gaddafi'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. Gaddafi — 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.

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