Australia on Sunday imposed sanctions on Moamer Gaddafi and 21 members of his inner circle, in a move that mirrors a resolution taken by the UN Security Council to pressure the Libyan leader over reprisal attacks on those attempting to overthrow his regime, dpa reported.
The 22 people named are banned from entry to Australia and Australians are banned from conducting business dealings with them.
"The Libyan regime's use of violence against its people is deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable," Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd said. "The time has come for Australia to reflect its grave concern by enacting these practical measures."
Earlier, Rudd said the situation in Libya would be "resolved enormously if Gaddafi and his entourage simply left."
The Security Council voted 15-0 to adopt a resolution allowing the use of force to implement the sanctions it has imposed.
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