Libya: EU HR Ashton Statement on UNSC resolution and latest developments

"I welcome today's adoption of resolution 1970 (2011) by the United Nations Security Council with regard to the events taking place in Libya.

The European Union fully endorses this resolution and will implement the restrictive measures as a matter of urgency. The EU had already started to work on restrictive measures such as assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo, and preparations are already well underway. Formal adoption will take place as soon as possible to ensure full and immediate implementation.

I am in constant contact with international partners, including with the UN and the US, to discuss next steps. Earlier today I met with U.S. Under Secretary of State Bill Burns, and this evening I spoke at length by telephone with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to discuss the next steps following today's UNSC resolution. We will continue this conversation when we meet in Geneva on Monday and continue to coordinate our efforts over the weekend.

Today's UNSC resolution shows that what is taking place in Libya will not be tolerated by the international community. It shows that the international community is united in its efforts to stop the atrocities taking place in Libya. The violation of human rights must stop now. Gaddafi and the Libyan authorities know that their unacceptable and outrageous actions will have consequences. I once again urge him to stop the violence to bring about a peaceful resolution of the situation which is acceptable to the people of Libya. The people of Libya have spoken and Colonel Gaddafi must listen. I stress the need to hold to account those responsible for attacks on civilians and welcome the UNSC decision to refer to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. Impunity for crimes committed will not be tolerated by the international community.

The EU continues to work together to coordinate the evacuation of EU citizens and to support humanitarian efforts.

The EEAS [European External Action Service] Crisis Cell is fully activated, and met again this morning, evaluating constantly the situation and recommending action on all fronts: situation of EU citizens and progress on evacuation, political situation, diplomatic efforts -- both in New York and Geneva-- and, together with ECHO, humanitarian assistance.

Following this meeting, another teleconference with EU capitals was held this afternoon to coordinate evacuation and consular efforts."

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• Developments in Libya: an overview of the EU's response (23/5/2011)
• EU Council Declaration on its Southern Neighbourhood and Libya (11/3/2011)
• EU HR Ashton convenes extraordinary Foreign Affairs Council to assess development in Libya and wider region (3/3/2011)
• Statement by EU Commission President Barroso on the situation in North Africa  (2/3/2011)
• Libya: adoption of the implementing regulation on EU sanctions (2/3/2011)
• EU Parliament: Egypt's transition to democracy needs at least a year (1/3/2011)
• EU Statement - United Nations General Assembly: membership of Libya in the Human Rights Council (1/3/2011)
• Libya: EU imposes arms embargo and targeted sanctions (28/2/2011)
• Speech on Libya and the Middle East by EU HR Ashton at the Human Rights Council (28/2/2011)
• Remarks by EU HR Ashton in the margins of the Human Rights Council (28/2/2011)
• Speech by EU Commissioner Füle on the recent events in North Africa (28/2/2011)
• Crisis in Libya: EU Commission allocates €3 million to address humanitarian needs (25/2/2011)
• Remarks by EU HR Ashton on Libya in the margins of the Informal Defence Ministerial Meeting (25/2/2011)
• EU Commission facilitates support to evacuate Europeans from Libya (23/2/2011)
• EU Parliament President Buzek on Libya: "this is the point of no return" (23/2/2011)