The United States called on Libya Monday to immediately end "unacceptable bloodshed" and worked urgently with its partners to make its message clear to Moamer Kadhafi\'s teetering government.
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| Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi speaks in 2010. |
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton spoke out after residents described a "massacre" of violent suppression rocking Libyan cities, and as reports emerged of demonstrators being gunned down on the streets.
"The world is watching the situation in Libya with alarm," Clinton said in a written statement on the latest severe flashpoint in a wave of turmoil and revolt sweeping North Africa and the Middle East.
"We join the international community in strongly condemning the violence in Libya.
"Now is the time to stop this unacceptable bloodshed," she implored. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those whose lives have been lost, and with their loved ones."
The chief US diplomat said Kadhafi\'s government "has a responsibility to respect the universal rights of the people, including the right to free expression and assembly."
President Barack Obama was being kept up to speed on events in Libya and was "considering all appropriate actions," an administration official said earlier.
"We will seek clarification from senior Libyan officials, as we continue to raise with them the need to avoid violence against peaceful protesters and respect universal rights."
The official added that Obama was briefed on the situation late Sunday by his national security adviser, Tom Donilon and was being informed of the latest developments throughout the day on Monday.
With the situation in Libya highly volatile, Washington also ordered all non-essential diplomatic staff to leave the country and warned US nationals to avoid travel to the north African country as anti-government protests raged.
Amid reports of hundreds of protesters killed, the US State Department\'s travel warning urged Americans not to visit while there was a continued threat of violence and suggested those already there hunker down.
"US citizens in Libya should minimize overall travel in-country, exercise extreme caution when traveling and limit all travel after dark," it said.
"US citizens not departing Libya should make preparations to shelter in place."
Americans should avoid areas where demonstrations are likely to occur and should not be tempted to participate in protests, even if they appeared peaceful, the bulletin added.
"Spontaneous demonstrations, violence and looting are possible throughout the next several days," it continued.
