ICC to review Libya, no-fly zone weighed

THE HAGUE, Netherlands, March 2 (UPI) -- The International Criminal Court in The Hague announced Wednesday it was preparing to open an investigation into alleged atrocities in Libya.

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is allegedly overseeing military attacks on rebel-held areas in parts of the country. Conservative estimates put the death toll at around 1,000 and Gadhafi warned on state television Wednesday that thousands more would die if international forces intervened.

The U.S. Security Council during the weekend voted unanimously in Resolution 1970 to refer Libya to the ICC for human rights violations. ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo said he welcomed the referral.

"Following a preliminary examination of available information, the prosecutor has reached the conclusion that an investigation is warranted," the ICC said in a statement.

U.S. warships are reported in the region in preparation for what is being discussed as a possible humanitarian intervention.

The international community is weighing options in Libya. U.S. military and government leaders said "all options" are on the table for addressing the crisis.

British Prime Minister David Cameron said Tuesday that London was examining the option of a no-fly zone over Libya "as a contingency measure." U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in a statement Wednesday backed those sentiments.

"A no-fly zone is not a long-term proposition and we should be ready to implement it as necessary," he said.

Regardless of the support for any possible military action, the international community is in agreement that Gadhafi has lost his legitimacy.

"We have joined with allies in making clear that Col. Gadhafi must go," said Kerry.