Security Council Imposes Sanctions on Gadhafi

The UN Security Council moved as a powerful bloc today to try to halt Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's deadly crackdown on protesters, slapping sanctions on him, his five children, and 10 top associates. Council members additionally agreed to refer his regime's actions to a permanent war crimes tribunal for an investigation of possible crimes against humanity.

Voting 15-0 after daylong discussions interrupted with breaks to consult with capitals back home, the council imposed an arms embargo and urged UN member countries to freeze the assets of Gadhafi, his four sons, and his daughter. The council also backed a travel ban on the Gadhafi family and 10 close associates. The council said its actions were aimed at "deploring the gross and systematic violation of human rights, including the repression of peaceful demonstrators." (More Libya stories.)