TONY EASTLEY: American and British leaders meeting in Geneva say they've not ruled out the use of military force to oust Libya's Muammar Gaddafi.
International pressure is being stepped up against the Libyan regime with the European Union agreeing to a fresh round of sanctions.
Here's Europe correspondent Emma Alberici.
EMMA ALBERICI: In a special address to the House of Commons overnight, David Cameron described events unfolding in Libya as a precious moment of opportunity.
DAVID CAMERON: In many parts of the Arab world, hopes and aspirations which have been smothered for decades are stirring.
Freedom of expression, a free press, freedom of assembly, the right to demonstrate peacefully - these are basic rights and they are much the rights of people in Tahrir Square as they are in Trafalgar Square.
And we need to dispense once and for all with the outdated notion that democracy has no place in the Arab world.
EMMA ALBERICI: Britain is coordinating the international evacuation effort in Libya; 600 British nationals have been rescued from the violence. UK defence forces have also shipped or airlifted to Malta a further 950 foreign workers stationed across the troubled nation.
The UK Treasury announced that Libyan bank notes printed in Britain worth one-and-a-half billion dollars have been blocked for export.
The British Prime Minister said he'd asked his military chiefs to work on plans with allies to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.
DAVID CAMERON: Mr Speaker, it is clear this is an illegitimate regime that has lost the consent of its people. And our message to Colonel Gaddafi is simple: go now.
EMMA ALBERICI: In Geneva, foreign ministers met to discuss ways to hasten an end to the conflict. All signed a declaration calling on Colonel Gaddafi to stand down.
The European Union confirmed an asset freeze and an immediate travel ban against the Gaddafi regime.
The leader, five of his family members and 20 others including advisers and managers of entities owned or controlled by him will be refused visas to all 27 EU nations.
All member states have agreed to withhold arms sales to Libya. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the gathering which included key Russian and Arab ministers that military force would not be ruled out.
HILLARY CLINTON: We will continue to explore all possible options for action. Nothing is off the table so long as the Libyan Government continues to threaten and kill Libyans.
EMMA ALBERICI: The United Nations General Assembly will tomorrow vote to accept recommendations to suspend Muammar Gaddafi's participation in the Human Rights Council.
The International Criminal Court has now launched an investigation. It's collecting information and has requested access to all video footage that might help efforts to charge the crumbling dictatorship with crimes against humanity.
This is Emma Alberici in London for AM.
International pressure is being stepped up against the Libyan regime with the European Union agreeing to a fresh round of sanctions.
Here's Europe correspondent Emma Alberici.
EMMA ALBERICI: In a special address to the House of Commons overnight, David Cameron described events unfolding in Libya as a precious moment of opportunity.
DAVID CAMERON: In many parts of the Arab world, hopes and aspirations which have been smothered for decades are stirring.
Freedom of expression, a free press, freedom of assembly, the right to demonstrate peacefully - these are basic rights and they are much the rights of people in Tahrir Square as they are in Trafalgar Square.
And we need to dispense once and for all with the outdated notion that democracy has no place in the Arab world.
EMMA ALBERICI: Britain is coordinating the international evacuation effort in Libya; 600 British nationals have been rescued from the violence. UK defence forces have also shipped or airlifted to Malta a further 950 foreign workers stationed across the troubled nation.
The UK Treasury announced that Libyan bank notes printed in Britain worth one-and-a-half billion dollars have been blocked for export.
The British Prime Minister said he'd asked his military chiefs to work on plans with allies to impose a no-fly zone over Libya.
DAVID CAMERON: Mr Speaker, it is clear this is an illegitimate regime that has lost the consent of its people. And our message to Colonel Gaddafi is simple: go now.
EMMA ALBERICI: In Geneva, foreign ministers met to discuss ways to hasten an end to the conflict. All signed a declaration calling on Colonel Gaddafi to stand down.
The European Union confirmed an asset freeze and an immediate travel ban against the Gaddafi regime.
The leader, five of his family members and 20 others including advisers and managers of entities owned or controlled by him will be refused visas to all 27 EU nations.
All member states have agreed to withhold arms sales to Libya. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the gathering which included key Russian and Arab ministers that military force would not be ruled out.
HILLARY CLINTON: We will continue to explore all possible options for action. Nothing is off the table so long as the Libyan Government continues to threaten and kill Libyans.
EMMA ALBERICI: The United Nations General Assembly will tomorrow vote to accept recommendations to suspend Muammar Gaddafi's participation in the Human Rights Council.
The International Criminal Court has now launched an investigation. It's collecting information and has requested access to all video footage that might help efforts to charge the crumbling dictatorship with crimes against humanity.
This is Emma Alberici in London for AM.
