GENEVA: The UN's human rights chief on Tuesday demanded an immediate end to the "grave human rights violations" committed by Libyan authorities, warning that attacks on civilians could amount to "crimes against humanity".
"The authorities should immediately cease such illegal acts of violence against demonstrators," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said in a statement.
"Widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity," she said.
The UN rights chief urged a halt to the violence and called for "an independent international investigation into the violent suppression of protests in the country".
"The callousness with which Libyan authorities and their hired guns are reportedly shooting live rounds of ammunition at peaceful protestors is unconscionable," she noted.
"I am extremely worried that lives are being lost even as I speak.
"The international community must unite in condemnation of such acts and make unequivocal commitments to ensure justice is rendered to the thousands of victims of this repression," she said.
The UN rights chief also praised the people of Libya for taking a stand against repressive authorities.
They have "long been victims of the serious excesses of the Libyan leadership," she noted.
"The Libyan people are tired of corruption, tired of resource wealth benefitting only a few, tired of being unemployed, tired of their rights being ignored," she said.
"They want a say in the government and a role in the economy and they will not be silenced," added the UN official.
Violent clashes erupting in Libya have cost between 200 and 400 lives, rights groups say.
Loyalists have quit in protest at the brutal crackdown while fighter pilots have also defected after being ordered to fire on demonstrators.
"It has now been confirmed by different sources that there were bombings, the use of airplanes to fire on the crowd," said Frej Fenniche, a representative of the High Commissioner, referring to sources in the army and media.
Fenniche also added that "a number of human rights activists and journalists" have been arrested.
"Nobody knows where they are. We don't know if they are alive or not," he added.
Reacting to calls from non-governmental groups to expel Libya from the Human Rights Council which opens its next session on Monday, Fenniche said that "it is clear that the General Assembly could suspend a member of the council."
"It is up to all the states to act and to act quickly," he added.
The UN Security Council was to meet later Tuesday at the urging of Libyan diplomats who defected in protest at the brutal crackdown. The Arab League was also to discuss the bloody revolt.
Libya revolt timeline
TRIPOLI, Feb 22, 2011 (AFP) - Key events in Libya, where major unrest against the regime of Moamer Kadhafi broke out a week ago:
- February 15-16:
Police in Libya's second city of Benghazi use force to disperse a protest inspired by revolts in other Arab states, including Libya's neighbours Egypt and Tunisia.
- THURSDAY, February 17:
At least eight more deaths reported in and near Benghazi. Calls go out on the Internet site Facebook for a "Day of Rage" against Kadhafi's regime.
- FRIDAY, February 18:
Clashes reported spreading outside Benghazi, where a radio station is burned down. Access to the Internet is severely disrupted in the capital Tripoli.
- SATURDAY, February 19:
At least 12 reported killed as the army fires on a crowd heading for a funeral in Benghazi. Clashes spread to Misrati, 200 km (120 miles) east of Tripoli.
- SUNDAY, February 20:
The US-based group Human Rights Watch says at least 173 people have been killed around the country, while a hospital official tells Al-Jazeera television that 200 have died in the protests.
Protesters sack the headquarters of state television in Tripoli, and set government buildings on fire.
The Libyan authorities announce the arrest of dozens of Arab nationals from a "network" that they say is aiming to destabilise Libya.
In Cairo, Libya's envoy to the Arab League says he has resigned to "join the revolution."
Dozens of lawyers join a sit-in outside a Tripoli court.
- MONDAY, February 21:
With Kadhafi still remaining silent, his son Saif al-Islam goes on TV to warn that Libya faces civil war and "rivers of blood."
Gunfire is heard in the capital for the first time since protests began.
A series of diplomats, including Tripoli's ambassador to New Delhi and the deputy ambassador to the United Nations in New York, say they no longer support the regime and denounce reports that protesters have been attacked by warplanes.
The United States strongly condemns the use of force after "credible reports" of hundreds of casualties.
Two Libyan fighter pilots land their Mirage jets in Malta and say they have defected after being ordered to attack protesters.
Late on Monday Kadhafi makes a brief appearance on state television to scotch "malicious rumours" that he has fled the country for Venezuela.
The unrest sends world oil prices higher, with Brent oil going above $105 per barrel.
- TUESDAY, February 22:
The Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights says Benghazi is under the control of anti-regime demonstrators, as are Sirte, Tobruk in the east, as well as Misrata, Khoms, Tarhounah, Zenten, Al-Zawiya and Zouara, closer to the capital.
The United Nations Security Council says it is to discuss the Libyan bloodshed. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he has spoken to Kadhafi urging restraint, and UN human rights monitor Navi Pillay warns that attacks on the civilian population "may amount to crimes against humanity."
Thousands of Egyptian and Tunisian nationals seek to escape from the violence in Libya, while several European states plan to evacuate their nationals.
More than 1,000 Chinese workers on a construction site also flee.
Internet and telephone connections in Libya return to normal.
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