World response to Libya called 'shameful'

LONDON, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Amnesty International Wednesday accused the United Nations and African Union of abandoning Libya to dictator Moammar Gadhafi and demanded action.

The human rights group called the U.N. Security Council response, which has consisted only of calls for restraint, "shameful." The council, it said, must impose an immediate arms embargo and freeze the assets of Gadhafi and his inner circle, and the General Assembly should suspend Libya from the Human Rights Council.

Amnesty International also said the African Union, which has not convened to discuss the crisis, should investigate the reported use of African mercenaries in Libya, secure its borders and "monitor suspicious flights."

The Arab League, which has suspended Libya's membership, should investigate human rights crimes there, Amnesty said.

"Col. Gadhafi has publicly made clear his readiness to kill those who oppose him in order to stay in power," said Salil Shetty, Amnesty International's secretary-general. "… His threats make the half-hearted response from the international community even more shocking. What Libyans need now is not mere words of concern but immediate, concrete action."