Canada preparing full range of sanctions against Libyan regime

PanARMENIAN.Net - Canada is preparing a full range of sanctions against the Libyan regime as situation in the violence-battered North African country spirals out of control, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Feb 25 evening.

Harper called the actions of Moammar Gaddafi "appalling" and said the long-reigning Libyan leader must be held accountable.

"I've instructed our officials to prepare a full range of sanctions against the Libyan regime, both in collaboration with our international partners or unilaterally if necessary," said Harper in an announcement. "No options have been ruled out."

"Those responsible for ordering and carrying out atrocities against the Libyan people must be held accountable," said Harper, adding that Canada will support a move by the U.N. security council to impose sweeping sanctions that could include an arms embargo, individual sanctions against key Libyan officials and an asset freeze.

Canada is asking the UN Security Council to refer the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court and is also calling for Libya's immediate suspension from the UN Human Rights Council, Harper added. Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon will attend a session of the council in Geneva on Feb 27 to represent Canada's views.

Canada's announcement to move toward sanctions follows a similar step from the White House. The Americans have said they are asking allies to work with them on efforts to put pressure on Gaddafi to resign.

"Although our priority at this moment remains the evacuation we are actively preparing to move to the next steps and to take other measures," said Harper.

The reference to evacuations was slammed by opposition politicians who pointed to the government's problem-plagued handling of airlift efforts Feb 25.

One plane meant to airlift citizens from the Libyan capital flew away empty due to what the government called confusion on the ground. Meanwhile, a Foreign Affairs advisory warned Canadians not to go to the Tripoli airport, even as a second plane arrived late that day.

The warning came as the road to the airport was considered dangerous and the situation at the airport chaotic. Foreign Affairs didn't respond to an email asking for an explanation of how people are to be spirited out of Libya if they are warned away from the airport, the Winnipeg Free Press reported.