US President Barack Obama has called world leaders including those from France, Italy and Britain to discuss with them the political unrest in Libya and use of lethal force against protestors by the Gaddafi regime.
The call was made as part of Obama's effort to continue consultations on the situation in Libya and coordinate US urgent efforts to respond to developments and ensure that there is appropriate accountability, the White House said.
Obama called French President Nicolas Sarkozy, British Prime Minister David Cameroon and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
The US President expressed his deep concern with the Libyan government's use of violence which violates international norms and every standard of human decency, and discussed appropriate and effective ways for the international community to immediately respond.
"The leaders affirmed their strong support for the universal rights of the Libyan people, including the right to peaceful assembly, free speech, and the ability of the Libyan people to determine their own destiny and agreed that these rights must be respected," the White House said.
"The leaders discussed the range of options that both the United States and European countries are preparing to hold the Libyan government accountable for its actions, as well as planning for humanitarian assistance. The leaders agreed to maintain close consultations on this issue going forward," the White House said.
Faced with the continuation of the brutal and bloody crackdown and the threatening statements of the Libyan leadership, the two Presidents reiterated their demand for an immediate halt to the use of force against the civilian population, said a statement issued by the office of the French President.
Sarkozy presented the measures currently being examined by the European Union at his behest, and which he hopes will be swiftly adopted.
Obama, on the other hand presented the measures that the US plans on taking, it said.
France is planning to request another urgent Security Council meeting on the situation in Libya, the French statement said.
"In line with the statement that was unanimously adopted by the Council on February 22, concrete measures are now necessary, notably to permit immediate access to humanitarian assistance and to sanction those responsible for the violence against Libya's civilian population," it said.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said that the US President plans to call other world leaders in the coming days on the developing situation in Libya.
On Wednesday, Obama had asked Libyan authorities to stop violence and had urged international community to have a collective voice on this issue.
"In a volatile situation like this one, it is imperative that the nations and peoples of the world speak with one voice, and that has been our focus," he said.
