Saturday, 26 February 2011

U.N. Imposes Sanctions on Gadhafi

By JOE LAURIA

The United Nations Security Council Saturday night unanimously imposed an arms embargo on Libya, referred its leaders to the International Criminal Court and slapped financial and trade sanctions on Col. Moammar Gadhafi and his inner circle in an effort to stop them from killing more Libyan civilians.

"Widespread and systematic attacks currently taking place in Libya against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity" and "those responsible for the attacks" must be held accountable, the resolution said. More than a thousands protestors have been killed in the government's violent response to a popular rebellion against 42-years of Col. Gadhafi autocratic rule.

Reuters

A man dressed as Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi takes part in a protest against Gadhafi in Benghazi on Saturday.

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The U.K., France, Germany and U.S. spent eight hours overcoming opposition in the council by several countries to the ICC referral. Diplomats said a letter from Libya's ambassador to the U.N., who has defected to the opposition, supporting an ICC investigation into possible crimes against humanity by Col. Gadhafi and his closest associates committed since Feb. 15, helped sway the holdouts.

Diplomats said the threat of war crimes investigations might push those closest to Col. Ghadafi to abandon him.

Against the backdrop of the rapid pace of events in Libya the measures enacted will take days or weeks to take effect, as the Libyan authories have stockpiled weapons and cash, diplomats said. Nevertheless, the move is seen as a relatively swift response in U.N. terms.

The arms embargo, which comes into effect immediately, involves both imports and exports. Banned are "weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment and spare parts." Also prohbited is technical assistance, training and " the provision of armed mercenary personnel."

The arms ban is directed against Libyan authorities, allowing the future possibility of arming of anti-government forces.

The resolution calls on nations to inspect "all cargo to and from Libya, in their territory, including seaports and airports if [there are] reasonable grounds to believe the cargo contains items the supply, sale, transfer, or export" of which are banned. Any contraband found must be seized and destroyed and reported to the U.N.

All nations must also immediately freeze assets in their country held by Libyan leaders named in the resolution.

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Among those listed are Co. Gadhaffi and ten members of his family, including his sons Khamis, commander of the Khamis Brigade; Mohammed Muammar, who runs the country's post and telecommunications company; Mutassim, the national security advisor; Saadi, Special Forces commander; Saif al-Islam for "inflammatory public statements encouraing violence against demonstrators" and his daughter Aisha Muammar for "closeness of association with the regime."

Col. Abdullah al-Senussi, Col. Gadhaffi's brother-in-law and director of military intelligence; Maj. Gen. Abu Bakr Yunis Jabir, the defense minister; Col. Mas'ud Abdulhafiz, armed forces commander and Mohammed Abduissalam, head of counter-terrorism are among the 22 individuals named.

They were found to be involved in the "commission

of serious human rights abuses against persons in Libya" or in "planning, commanding, ordering or conducting attacks, in violation of international law, including aerial bombardments, on civilian populations," the resolution says.

The government-run Libyan Investment Authority has numerous overseas investments. Among them are a 2. 5% stake in UniCredit, Italy's largest bank. The Libyan Central Bank holds a further 4.9% stake in UniCredit. The Authority also owns 3.1% of Pearson, the global media company, 7.5% of the Italian football club Juventus, owns real estate in London and is reported to have about $500 million in U.S. banks.

The Security Council committee set up to monitor the sanctions will consider exemptions to the financial ban, such as allowing funds needed to pay living expenses, taxes, legal services, leins or judgements rendered before Saturday or to receive payment on existing contracts.

The blacklisted leaders are also subject to a foreign travel ban. No country may permit them entering their territory. The committee will consider exemptions for humitarian reasons, religious obligations, to appear in court, or if traveling would further Libyan national reconciliation, the resolution said.

The resolution demands an immediate end of the violence and calls on Libyan authorities to respect human rights, allow international human rights monitors access, guarantee delivery of humitarian supplies and aid workers, immediately lift media restrictions and ensure all foreign nationals be allowed to leave the country.

Write to Joe Lauria at newseditor@wsj.com

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