Brussels: The UN's top human rights official says the international community may need to impose a no-fly zone over Libya to protect civilians from attacks by government aircraft.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says if unconfirmed reports of aerial attacks against civilians turn out to be true, "I think there's an immediate need for that level of protection."
In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, Pillay said she was "appalled" by the level of violence there because protesters are only demanding basic human rights.
Peru, which has suspended diplomatic relations with Libya, has asked the UN Security Council to establish a no-fly zone in Libyan airspace "to prevent the use of that country's warplanes against (its) population."
EU states agree to prepare sanctions on Libya
European Union governments agreed on Wednesday to prepare possible sanctions on Libya in response to Muammar Gaddafi's violent crackdown on anti-government protests, EU diplomats said.
"They agreed in a statement to take further measures. In diplomatic terms, it means sanctions," said one EU diplomat after a meeting in Brussels to discuss the issue.
Experts will now draw up a list of proposed measures, which could include visa bans, asset freezes, an arms embargo and other restrictions, before EU governments agree when to impose them.
