Reuters Soundbite:
UN Ambassador Susan Rice (Feb. 26): "Resolution 1970 is a strong resolution. It includes a travel ban and an asset freeze for key Libyan leaders, it imposes a complete arms embargo on Libya. It takes new steps against use of mercenaries by the Libyan government to attack its own people, and for the first time ever, the Security Council has unanimously referred an egregious human rights situation to the International Criminal Court. As President Obama said today, when a leader's only mean of staying in power is to use mass violence against its own people, he has lost the legitimacy to rule and needs to do what is right for his country by leaving now."
AP Soundbite:
"Tonight, acting under Chapter 7, the Security Council has come together to condemn the violence, pursue accountability and adopt biting sanctions targeting Libya's unrepentant leadership. This is a clear warning to the Libyan government that it must stop the killing."
Reuters Soundbite:
"We are pleased to have supported this entire resolution and all of its measures including the referral to the ICC (International Criminal Court). We are happy to have the opportunity to co-sponsor this, and we think it is a very powerful message to the leadership of Libya that this heinous killing must stop and that individuals will be held personally accountable."
Reuters Soundbite:
"Enable the people of Libya as I've said in the Security Council to continue to be able to express themselves, freely now without violence, to be able to enjoy the universal rights of people around the world deserve to have protected. And the Council tonight stood firmly and resolutely with the people of Libya in respect of those universal rights." Full Text»