The Security Council and top United Nations officials today urged the Libyan Government to immediately end its violent crackdown on protesters and to meet its responsibility to protect its population.

Council members "condemned the violence and use of force against civilians, deplored the repression against peaceful demonstrators, and expressed deep regret at the deaths of hundreds of civilians," Ambassador Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti of Brazil, which holds the monthly presidency of the 15-member body for February, said in a statement read out to the press following closed-door talks on the crisis.

"They called for an immediate end to the violence and for steps to address the legitimate demands of the population, including through national dialogue," she said.

Council members also called on the Government to meet its responsibility to protect its population, act with restraint, respect human rights and international humanitarian law, and allow immediate access for human rights monitors and humanitarian agencies.

"They underscored the need to hold to account those responsible for attacks, including by forces under their control, on civilians," the statement added.

Mr. Ban, in a statement issued by his spokesperson on Monday, said he was "outraged" at press reports that the Libyan authorities have been firing at demonstrators from war planes and helicopters.

"This is unacceptable," the Secretary-General told reporters in Los Angeles, where his currently on an official visit. "This violence against demonstrators must immediately stop."

Mr. Ban, who had a 40-minute telephone conversation with Muammar Al-Qadhafi yesterday, said he urged the Libyan leader to stop the violence and strongly underlined the importance of respecting human rights and heeding the aspirations and calls of the demonstrators. Mr. Ban also discussed the situation in Libya in a phone conversation today with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay today called for an immediate cessation of the "grave" rights violations committed by the Libyan authorities and urged an independent investigation into the violent suppression of protests.

"The callousness with which Libyan authorities and their hired guns are reportedly shooting live rounds of ammunition at peaceful protestors is unconscionable. I am extremely worried that lives are being lost even as I speak," she stated in a news release.