Unanimous decision

THE UN Security Council's Sunday resolution to apply sanctions on Libya, including an embargo on weapons and travel restriction for Libyan officials, but, above all, threatening them with possible international criminal prosecution, is an example of the kind of role the ruling body should play. The decision is all the more outstanding for having been adopted by all 15 members of the council. On earlier occasions, when the council met to discuss the Libyan situation, there were some permanent members who had reservations about going all the way against Tripoli. For example, at the beginning, China and Russia were reluctant to oppose the Libyan leader, Muammar Qadhafi, and his loyalists, for fear that the developing story in the country might tip in their favour. Many countries [have] invested a great deal in Libya, both financially and politically, and they were, understandably, reluctant to jeopardise their interests in this Arab country. Now the situation is such that it [has] made it impossible for the permanent members of the council not to impose harsh penalties on Tripoli. The council's vote obliges all member states to "freeze without delay all funds, other financial assets and economic resources which are on their territories [and] which are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the individuals or entities" listed in [the] resolution. …The tools the international community has at its disposal are immense, including the powerful economic leverage that entails freezing assets of Libyan officials, starting with the leadership. …The world has made known its wish to see violence end and the Libyan leadership come to reason. The actions taken by the regime in Libya are violations of norms governing international behaviour, and "serious transgressions of international human rights and humanitarian law", said Ban [Ki-moon]. There has to be a quick end to these violations. Libyans deserve to live like all free peoples…. — (March 1)