Pretoria - South Africa has welcomed and affirmed its support for a UN Security Council sanctions resolution on Libya, which enforces a travel ban and assets freeze on Muammar Gaddafi, his inner circle and members of the Libyan leader's family.
The resolution also includes an arms embargo, and condemns in the strongest terms the violence and use of force against civilians as that country goes through protests sparked by calls for a regime change.
The UN has also referred the Libyan matter to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
"The Libyan people, joined by the rest of the international community, have been calling for an end to this indiscriminate use of force... The Council has responded swiftly and resolutely to this call... This resolution sends a clear and unambiguous message to the Libyan authorities to end the carnage against its people," said SA Ambassador Baso Sangqu, as he explained the country's vote on the resolution in the UN on Saturday.
Libya has been in the grip of violent protests, the country divided as some call for ruler Muammar Gaddafi to cede power. Gaddafi's response has been a vow to defeat his enemies.
Clashes between anti- and pro-government groups have seen that country spiral into a ferocious state, which has evoked condemnation from many leaders around the world.
South Africa has expressed its deep concern at developments in Libya, and has bemoaned the loss of human life.
"South Africa calls on the government and people of Libya to seek a speedy and peaceful resolution to the current crisis in accordance with the will of the people," said Sangqu.
The UN resolution will also see an independent international commission of inquiry dispatched to Libya to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law.
