World leaders call for immediate end to Libyan violence

World leaders called for greater pressure on Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi on Thursday, in response to what they describe as brutal violence against protesters. The US says it is considering sanctions, while France has called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.

Reuters/Asmaa Waguih

US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy held telephone discussions on Thursday on a coordinated response to the crisis.

Sarkozy and Obama condemn the "brutal and bloody repression" of protesters and demand "an immediate halt to the use of force against civilians", according to a statement from the French president's office.

Sarkozy has called an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council where he will press for "concrete sanctions" against Kadhafi, the statement said.

Security Council members held unofficial discussions on Libya on Thursday and will meet formally within 48 hours, according to diplomats.

The UK wants Libya suspended from the UN Human Rights Council, said Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague. The panel is due to meet on Friday.

The US backs the proposal and is prepared to take further action, according to White House spokesperson Philip Crowley. This could include imposing economic sanctions and enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya.

Military action has not been ruled out and the US army is closely involved in discussions, according to Crowley.

Britain and France are also calling for an investigation into the violence carried out by security forces in Libya.

France's human rights ambassador says there could be grounds for charges of crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court.