Washington: Strongly objecting to the use
of lethal force against peaceful demonstrators, the United
States in a strong condemnation on Libya’s crackdown on
protesters on Monday said that it is considering all appropriate
actions in response.
US President Barack Obama, was briefed by the
National Security Advisor, Tom Donilon, last night on the
developing situation in Libya and he is being kept up to speed
on events today.
"We are considering all appropriate actions," a US
official said without specifying the measures it is
contemplating with regard to Libya.
"We are is analysing the speech of Saif al-Islam
Gaddhafi to see what possibilities it contains for meaningful
reform," the official said referring to the speech given by
the Libyan leader, adding that the US will seek clarification
from senior Libyan officials in this regard.
"We continue to raise with them the need to avoid
violence against peaceful protesters and respect universal
rights," the official said.
Earlier the US Sunday expressed its grave concern
over the current situation in Libya.
"The United States is gravely concerned with
disturbing reports and images coming out of Libya," State
Department spokesman, P J Crowley said.
While the US is working to ascertain the facts, but
it has received multiple credible reports that hundreds of
people have been killed and injured in several days of unrest
and the full extent of the death toll is unknown due to the
lack of access of international media and human rights
organizations, he said.
"We have raised to a number of Libyan officials,
including Libyan Foreign Minister Musa Kusa, our strong
objections to the use of lethal force against peaceful
demonstrators," Crowley said.
We reiterated to Libyan officials the importance of
universal rights, including freedom of speech and peaceful
assembly.
Libyan officials have stated their commitment to
protecting and safeguarding the right of peaceful protest,"
Crowley said.
The State Department spokesmen called upon the
Libyan government uphold that commitment, and holds
accountable any security officer who does not act in
accordance with that commitment.
PTI
