The Council of the European Union adopted on 28 February 2011 a decision implementing the UN Security Council Resolution on Libya of 26 February (UNSCR 1970/2011) and imposing additional restrictive measures against those responsible for the violent crackdown on the civilian population. These measures include ban of supply of arms and equipment which could be used for repression, as well as a visa ban and freeze of assets for Muammar Qadhafi and some members of his family.

In line with UN Security Council Resolution on Libya of 26 February (UNSCR 1970/2011) which was immediately backed by the European Union, the Council banned on 28 February the supply to Libya of arms, ammunition and related material. In addition to the UN measures, the Council also prohibited trade with Libya in equipment which might be used for internal repression.

Some of the measures enacted by the Council, follow those established by the UN Security Council, namely a visa ban on 16 persons, including Muammar Qadhafi, parts of his family closely associated with the regime and other persons responsible for the violent crackdown on the civilian population since 15 February, and a freeze of the assets of Muammar Qadhafi and five members of his family.

The Council also adopted as autonomous measures a visa ban on an additional 10 individuals and an asset freeze on a further 20 individuals responsible for the violent crackdown on the civilian population.

As stated by the Council, this decision will be kept under review and will be published in the Official Journal in the coming days.

On 23 February, the European Union expressed its grave concern about the situation unfolding in Libya and activated the civil protection mechanism to support citizens evacuation. It strongly condemned the violence and use of force against civilians and deplored the repression against peaceful demonstrators which has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of civilians. It also called for an immediate end to the use of force and for steps to address the legitimate demands of the population, including through national dialogue.