U.S. Senator John Kerry calls for global pressure on Libya

Washington: U.S. Senator John Kerry on Tuesday condemned the deadly crackdown of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on anti-government protests "for the despicable" and called for global pressure to end his regime.

Government Gaddafi in the use of lethal force against its own people would mean an end to the regime itself. It's beyond despicable, and I hope that we witness his final hours in power, "a senior MP said in a statement.

Kerry, who is chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations, said al-Gaddafi at the present time "irredeemable" and stressed that the top of the Libyan military commanders risked international war crimes charges for any "consent to evil."

The MP said that all international oil companies "should immediately cease its operations in Libya until the violence against civilians cease," and called on Obama to reinstall the U.S. sanctions were lifted under his predecessor, George Bush, when Tripoli agreed to dismantle its nuclear program.

The UN Security Council, meeting in emergency session to discuss the crisis, to condemn repression and consider temporary sanctions, including embargoes on arms and security for Libyan civilian settlements.

"Guidelines of the United Nations is on the line. Mission of Libya to the UN boldly denounced their own government. Now, the UN Action is crucial," said Kerry, who called for a special UN human rights probe, and humanitarian relief.

The senator also urged the Arab League and African Union to take a position, stressing: "American credibility was on the line with a key ally in Egypt, and Mr. Obama spoke with determination."

"The Arab League can demonstrate that, after a popular uprising in the region, the old rules of impunity will not stand. And the African Union can vigorously investigate allegations that African mercenaries were involved in atrocities in Libya," said Kerry.

"These are concrete steps that must be taken now and in the coming days to show that the world will react to the actions not just words, when the regime has reprehensible violence against its own people," the senator said. (AFP)