BBC: The UN Security Council has condemned the Libyan authorities for using force against protesters, calling for those responsible to be held to account.
In a statement, the council demanded an immediate end to the violence and said Libya's rulers had to "address the legitimate demands of the population".
At least 300 people have been killed so far in the uprising.
Earlier, Col Muammar Gaddafi urged his supporters to attack the "cockroaches" and "rats" protesting against his rule.
Anyone who took up arms against Libya would be executed, he warned.
Interior Minister Abdel Fattah Younes al-Abidi - who is considered Col Gaddafi's number two - later resigned and called on the armed forces to "join and heed the people's demands".
The BBC's Jon Leyne, in eastern Libya, says people there reacted with anger and derision to Col Gaddafi's speech.
They fear the veteran leader is out to destroy the country before he is finally deposed. (+ video) >>> | Wednesday, February 23, 2011
