Deeply concerned over the Gaddafi regime declaring a "war against the people of Libya", a US-based organisation for Muslims has appealed to President Barack Obama to take the lead in demanding an end to unlawful use of force against peaceful protesters in that country.
"The Gaddafi regime has declared war against the people of Libya, stating that it would fight the Libyan protesters to the very last bullet. To hesitate will surely lead to disaster," the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) President Imam Mohamed Magid said.
"This can be described as nothing other than a pending horrific genocide and the international community must take action on behalf of the people of Libya to prevent more senseless murders from taking place," he said.
The appeal came after Libyan strongman Moammar Gaddafi, the Arab world's longest-serving ruler, said he would "die as a martyr rather than give up power".
68-year-old Gaddafi, who has already used air strikes to gun down defenceless protesters, has said he has not even used massive force yet and also threatened to use it against the entire country if they do not stop their protests.
"This threat of pending massive force is frightening, considering the fact he has already murdered hundreds, injured thousands, and committed horrific acts of violence," ISNA said while urging Obama to intervene immediately on behalf of the Libyan people.
As of February 21, the International Coalition Against War Criminals had reported 519 peaceful protesters dead, 3980 injured, and 1500 missing in Libya.
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"If America sits by and does nothing, we will witness another disaster similar to what happened to Iraqi Kurds in 1988, Rwanda in 1994, and Serbanista in 1996," ISNA said.
ISNA urged Obama to take the lead to demand an end to unlawful use of force against peaceful protesters; condemn Gaddafi's brutal crimes against humanity and indict him to be tried in the International Criminal Court.
It sought opening of the Egypt-Libya and Tunisia-Libya borders immediately which have been blocked and swiftly sending the Libyan people humanitarian aid and relief supplies such as medicine, blood, food, and other basic provisions.
ISNA also urged Obama to call on the UN Security Council to take decisive action and stop the massacre of innocent civilians; demand Libya to restore access to the internet; and impose an embargo on all exports of arms and security equipment to Libya.