Press TV
Peruvian President Alan Garcia
Peru has suspended diplomatic ties with Libya, becoming the first country to take such a measure as the world begins losing patience with Muammar Gaddafi.
"Peru is suspending all diplomatic relations with Libya until the violence against the people ceases," AFP quoted Peruvian President Alan Garcia as saying on Tuesday.
UN voices grave concern
On Tuesday, the UN Security Council voiced "grave concern" over the bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Libya, calling for an "immediate end to the violence."
The council also urged the Libyan regime to ensure the safety of foreigners and make sure that humanitarian workers can get access to the wounded.
At least 1,000 people were killed in Tripoli on Monday by airstrikes conducted by the Libyan military in a desperate move meant to quell the popular uprising, according to some reports.
The International Federation for Human Rights says as many as 400 people have been killed since the onset of the uprising on February 15.
The EU reaction
The European Union also added its voice to the growing chorus of calls for the Libyan regime to stop the violence, with EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton saying that the bloc was suspending a framework trade agreement it had been negotiating with Libya.
"I deplore the loss of life and I condemn all acts of violence,” said Ashton, adding, “I call on everyone to exercise restraint."
"We will be suspending the framework agreement, which we are in the process of negotiating," she announced.
Libyan diplomat expects acts of genocide
On Tuesday, Libya's deputy ambassador to the UN, Ibrahim Dabbashi, also urged the regime to stop killing its own civilians, adding that the UN body should enforce a no-fly zone over cities to prevent mercenaries and military equipment from reaching the regime.
Some reports suggest that Libya has hired foreign mercenaries from French-speaking African countries to crush the protests.
Dabbashi went on to say that Gaddafi's remarks about fighting on to the "last drop of blood" were meant to be a signal for his minions to start committing acts of genocide against the Libyan people.
On Monday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Gaddafi to show restraint and stop the violence against the anti-government demonstrators immediately.
US stocks dip
US stocks dipped on Tuesday, as earlier remarks by Gaddafi threatened to plunge one of the world's key oil states deeper into the maelstrom.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 1.44 percent (178.46 points) at 12,212.79, while the broader S&P 500 dropped 2.05 percent (27.57 points) to 1,315.44.
HA/HGL
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