UN throws Libya off HR council

UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations on Tuesday suspended Libya from its main human rights body over Moamer Kadhafi's crackdown on protests amid warnings of new Security Council action against the regime.

With growing western calls for a no-fly zone over Libya, Britain's UN envoy said the council would take "whatever measures we consider necessary to respond to events on the ground."

The 192-member assembly passed a suspension resolution by consensus, without a vote, after UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged the body to "act decisively" against Kadhafi.

The Human Rights Council in Geneva had called for the suspension which needed a two-thirds majority at the General Assembly to be passed. It is the first time it has acted against a member.

Nobody spoke up for the Libyan regime at the brief debate, though Venezuela accused the United States of planning an invasion of Libya, provoking US fury.

"This unprecedented action sends another clear warning to Mr. Kadhafi and those who still stand by him: they must stop the killing," said US ambassador Susan Rice, reaffirming calls for Kadhafi to "go."

The action came three days after the UN Security Council passed sanctions against the regime, including a travel ban and assets freeze against Kadhafi and his family and leading officials, arms embargo and call for a crimes against humanity investigation.

British envoy Mark Lyall Grant called the General Assembly vote a "powerful" signal and added that new Security Council action against Libya is possible. (AFP)