UN Security Council condemns crackdown on Libyan protestors

In a statement, the council demanded an immediate end to the violence and said Libya's rulers had to "address the legitimate demands of the population".

At least 300 people have been killed so far in the uprising.

During a live broadcast aired on Wednesday evening, Col Muammar Gaddafi defiantly urged his supporters to attack the "cockroaches" and "rats" protesting against his rule.

Anyone who took up arms against Libya would be executed, he warned.

The UN Security Council's statement came after a day of debate on the uprising in Libya, amid reports foreign mercenaries had been attacking civilians and warplanes bombing protesters.

The council's 15 members said the Libyan government should "meet its responsibility to protect its population", act with restraint, and respect human rights and international humanitarian law.