THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Britain, France and the United Nations rallied together on Friday in an international push to punish the Gaddafi regime after reports that gunmen had fired into crowds of marching protesters.Shots were fired at demonstrators marching through the streets of Tripoli in a final push against their leader following Friday prayers.
According to one unconfirmed report by a resident five people were killed in the district of Janzour, where there has been a particularly heavy security presence.
Colonel Gaddafi appeared in Tripoli's Green Square shortly after the attacks pledging to arm civilian supporters and calling on Libyans to get ready to fight for "dignity" and for "petrol".UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned that the ongoing attacks could amount to "crimes against humanity".
The UN Security Council in New York discussed a number of sanctions proposed by Britain and France including a total arms embargo, freezing of assets and travel bans on government figures. The plan would also see the International Criminal Court begin investigating the Libyan government's attacks on protesters and consider indicting senior figures for crimes against humanity.
British diplomats said they were hopeful that "the usual UN timetable would not prevail". One added: "The urgency of this situation will be brought to bear. Read on and comment >>> Jon Swaine, New York and Bruno Waterfield | Saturday, February 26, 2011
