The UN Security Council on Tuesday afternoon began closed-door consultations on the latest development in Libya, following a private meeting to hear briefings respectively from a senior UN official and a Libyan diplomat.


The Libyan permanent representative to the United Nations Mohamed Shalgham (C) speaks to the media after the UN Security Council closed meeting on Libya at the UN headquarters in New York, the United States, Feb. 22, 2011. The 15-member Council met earlier on Tuesday in informal consultations behind closed doors at 9:20 a.m. EST at the request of the Libyan Permanent Mission to the UN. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)
The Council consultations were aimed at reaching consensus on a possible press statement on the current situation in Libya, diplomatic sources told Xinhua.


The Libyan permanent representative to the United Nations, Mohamed Shalgham, spoke to the UN Security Council about the current situation in Libya, along with the UN under-secretary- general for political affairs, B. Lynne Pasco.


Shalgham arrived at the Council meeting separately from his deputy, Ibrahim Dabbashi, who on Monday announced his decision to break ranks with the Gaddafi regime.


Dabbashi, who requested the Council meeting, called on the most powerful UN body to take harsh actions against Libya, including imposing a no-fly zone over the North African country.


VietNamNet/Xinhuanet