THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY has suspended Libya from its Human Rights Council, the AP reports this evening.
Earlier today, the UN’s refugee agency, the UNHCR, said that the situation at the Libyan border with Tunisia had reached “crisis point” after 14,000 people fled Libya over the border yesterday.
The head of the UNHCR’s emergency response team at the border said they could see “acres of people waiting to cross the border”.
Some have been waiting for up to four days without shelter or supplies for the opportunity to cross over. Around 140,000 people are believed to have already fled Libya.
The Red Cross, Red Crescent and UNICEF agencies are working to alleviate food, water and hygiene issues in the area, but with tens of thousands of people waiting to leave Libya, the situation is worsening.
Reuters reports that soldiers fired warning shots in the air today, in an effort to subdue those pushing to cross the border.
International governments are still considering military action against Libya. Russia has already ruled out the idea of creating a no-fly zone over Libya – intended to prevent Gaddafi from the aerial bombing of Libyans – while US, Australian and European leaders are pushing for it.
Russia’s approval is required for a UN resolution on the issue as it is a member of the UN Security Council.
However, the full membership of the UN’s General Assembly agreed to suspend Libya from its Human Rights Council this evening. The UN had already ordered an international enquiry into allegations of human rights abuses in Libya.
Includes reporting from the AP
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