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Massive exode from Libya - The unanimous UN sanctions targets five members of the Gaddafi family. As more cities fall into the hands of the pro-democracy protesters, Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, is hanging on to the capital where security forces loyal to him seem to have a firm hold, even amid reports of sporadic gunfire. On Sunday, protesters had reportedly taken over the towns of Misurata and Zawiyah, further shrinking the control of Gaddafi's government. However, tanks were surrounding Zawiyah, 50km from Tripoli, and locals feared an imminent raid by pro-Gaddafi forces. Diplomats say about 2,000 or more people have been killed across the country. 'Transitional government' Meanwhile, Libya's former justice minister announced he was forming a "transitional government" to replace Gaddafi's crumbling regime, which now controls only some western areas around the capital and a few long-time bastions in the arid south, reporters and witnesses say. Assets frozen : The UN Security Council imposed a travel and assets ban on Gaddafi's government and, with exceptional unanimity, ordered an investigation into possible crimes against humanity by the Libyan strongman UN sanctions: Who is targeted? The unanimous UN sanctions targets five members of the Gaddafi family. The United Nations Security Council has unanimously imposed "biting sanctions" on Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, and four of the most influential members of his immediate family. Resolution 1970 included a travel ban and asset freeze on the following Libyan figures: Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan leader, took power in 1969 in a bloodless coup. In recent days, Gaddafi has lost control of much of the country as protesters have fought against security forces that remain loyal to him. Many members of his regime - including diplomats, military personnel and members of government - have defected. Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, Muammar Gaddafi's second-oldest son, has been accused of inciting violence. He is the second most visible face of the Libyan regime. Saif al-Islam was, until he played a key role in the regime's attempts to suppress the protest movement, viewed as a potential ally by many in the West, who considered him the most inclined to reform and open the country. Saadi Gaddafi, the leader's third son, is being targeted for his role as the commander of the country's special forces, which have been cracking down on the protesters. As well as playing a supportive role in his father's government, the leader's third son has also been captain of the Libyan football team. He played for Italy's Perugia club, until he tested positive for performance-inducing steroids after just one match. Khamis Gaddafi, heads the Khamis Brigade, an army special forces brigade that is equipped with sophisticated weaponry. Aisha Gaddafi is the leader's only daughter. Few days ago, she denied fleeing the countryon Libyan state television. Aisha is a lawyer and was a member of Saddam Hussein's defence team in 2004. The UN dropped her as a goodwill ambassador this week.
An image grab taken from Libyan state television on Friday, Feb. 25 shows Libyan leader Moammer Gadhafi gesturing at supporters during an address at the Green Square in Tripoli. Gadhafi told his supporters to "prepare to defend Libya.« - Libyan-TV / AFP - Getty Images
Libyan U.N. ambassador Shalgham is embraced by Dabbashi, Libya's deputy U.N. Ambassador after denouncing Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi for the first time during a Security Council meeting at United Nations headquarters Feb. 25 in New York City. Shalgam, a longtime friend and member of Gadhafi's inner circle, had previously refused to denounce Gadhafi.-Staff / Reuters
Former military officers are welcomed by the anti-Gadhafi protesters in Benghazi Friday, Feb. 25. Libya's rebel-held city of Benghazi has filled a political void with a coalition which is cleaning up, providing food, building defences, reassuring foreign oil firms and telling Tripoli it believes in one nation. Weapons used in bloody clashes with pro-Gadhafi forces were collected and African mercenaries the coalition says the Libyan leader used to fire on protesters were in jail awaiting trial. The city paid a high price for the revolt with up to 250 dead. - Suhaib Salem / Reuters
Passengers disembark from the U.S. chartered ferry Maria Dolores, which was carrying hundreds of Americans and other evacuees from Tripoli, after arriving in Valletta's Grand Harbour Friday, Feb. 25. - Darrin Zammit Lupi / Reuters
Evacuees from different countries queue to board a ship to be evacuate from Benghazi sea port, Libya, on Friday Feb. 25. Tens of thousands of foreigners are trying to flee Libya, with Turks and Chinese climbing aboard ships by the thousands. Europeans are mostly boarding evacuation flights while North Africans have been racing to border crossings in overcrowded vans. - Hussein Malla / AP
Libyans perform Friday prayers outside the courthouse in the eastern city of Benghazi, Libya, on Friday, Feb. 25. Gianluigi Guercia / AFP - Getty Images
Around 8,000 people gathered for midday prayers outside the Benghazi courthouse Friday. A local imam delivered his sermon alongside the coffins of three men killed in the violent uprising that routed Moammar Gadhafi loyalists from Benghazi.
LIBYA Friends and relatives carry the coffin of a man killed during clashes between Gadhafi's forces and anti-government protesters ahead of Friday prayers outside the courthouse in Benghazi. - Gianluigi Guercia / AFP - Getty Images
LIBYA Misrata’s international airport after an attack by security forces Thursday, according to Iman, a Libyan-American woman living in the city, which is Libya's third largest. - Courtesy of Iman
Salum, Egypt — Egyptian guest workers board a bus to take them home as hundreds of vehicles jam the road out of strife-torn Libya.- PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
Ras Ajdir, Tunisia — A car displaying support for the Libyan protests approaches the Libya-Tunisia border crossing at Ras Ajdir.PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times
FEBRUARY 25: Thousands of opposition supporters rally outside a courthouse in rebel-held Benghazi, Libya. (Tyler Hicks/The New York Times
Amr Nabil / AP An Egyptian raises Libya's old national flag in support of the uprising in Libya during a gathering at Tahrir Square, the focal point of the Egyptian uprising, in Cairo, Egypt on Feb. 25.
Yannis Behrakis / Reuters An Egyptian refugee enters a bus from the window at a refugee camp after crossing into Tunisia to flee the violence in Libya near the border crossing of Ras Jdir, Feb. 26. Thousands of Egyptian refugees scrambled to leave a refugee camp set up by the Tunisian army, as they waited to be transferred to the nearby airport to fly back home.
FEBRUARY 26: An Egyptian man climbs through a window into a bus to take him and others further inland, outside a refugee camp set up by the Tunisian army at the Tunisia-Libya border, in Ras Ajdir, Tunisia. The camp, which houses about 5,000 people, was built after shelters at the border couldn't handle the large numbers coming through. (Lefteris Pitarakis/Associated Press)
Foreigners continue to flee Libya, ships in Benghazi evacuate guest workers - PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times Ras Ajdir, Tunisia — Refugees wait with their bags amid the barren landscape near the Ras Ajdir border crossing into Tunisia from Libya. Buses are constantly streaming to the border to try to handle the growing flow of refugees.
Ras Ajdir, Tunisia — Refugees crowd onto a bus in Tunisia as they flee the violence in Libya. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times
Ras Ajdir, Tunisia — A man tries to secure a seat on a bus headed into Tunisia by climbing in through a window, one of several who did so as they sought to flee the growing violence in Libya. - PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times
Ras Ajdir, Tunisia — People gathered on the Tunisian side of the border with Libya wave a pre-Kadafi flag from Libya as they protest his long rule over the country. -PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times
Ras Ajdir, Tunisia — Wind-blown dust envelopes refugees at the Ras Ajdir border crossing into Tunisia from Libya on Saturday. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times
Ras Ajdir, Tunisia — Refugees wait with their bags amid the barren landscape near the Ras Ajdir border crossing into Tunisia from Libya. Buses are constantly streaming to the border to try to handle the growing flow of refugees. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times
Benghazi, Libya — Guest workers seeking to flee Libya crowd toward the gangway of one of three ships evacuating foreigners at the port of Benghazi on Saturday february 26. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
Benghazi, Libya — Guest workers line up waiting to be evacuated by ship from the port of Benghazi on Saturday. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
Benghazi, Libya — Guest workers wait to be evacuated by ship from the port of Benghazi on Saturday.FEBRUARY 26 PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times
Benghazi, Libya — A man carries his baggage aboard a ship as others wait to leave Libya on Saturday FEBRUARY 26 PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times
Benghazi, Libya — Chinese nationals who had been working in Libya look down from the railing a ship as it prepares to depart the port of Benghazi on Saturday. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times
Benghazi, Libya — A volunteer guards a helicopter at an air base in Benghazi PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times
Benghazi, Libya — A group of men pray at the graves of people who were killed in the recent violence surrounding the ouster of Moammar Kadafi's military and police forces from Benghazi. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times
Benghazi, Libya — Libyan youths hold revolutionary flags against the breeze blowing ashore on the waterfront in Benghazi. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
Benghazi, Libya — Facing grim prospects for education and employment, Libya's youths have led the effort to end the 42-year reign of dictator Moammar Kadafi. - PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
Benghazi, Libya — Artwork that mocks Libyan dictator Moammar Kadafi are posted on a booth along the Benghazi waterfront. PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
Benghazi, Libya — Libyan youths wave revolutionary flags as dusk settles Saturday afternoon. February 26 PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
Benghazi, Libya — Residents mill around the burned and ransacked internal security building late Saturday afternoon. February 26 PHOTOGRAPH BY: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times
John Moore / Getty Images Stranded Bangladeshi workers walk along the beach at the port of Benghazi after failing to get on an evacuation ship on Feb. 26 in Benghazi, Libya. Thousands of foreign laborers remain in Libya, stranded for days and unable to get transport out of the country. Fighting has continued around the capitol Tripoli still controlled by Gaddafi forces. The UN who is considering sanctions against Libya over its violent attempts to put down an uprising, estimates more than 1,000 people have died in the 10-day-old revolt.
Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters An Egyptian trying to leave Libya looks through the blankets of a makeshift shelter at Tripoli's airport Feb. 26.
Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters A crowd of people trying to leave Libya fills the departure hall at Tripoli's airport Feb. 26.
Ciro Fusco / EPA A man with an Egyptian passport carries his bleongings as thousands of Libyan, Egyptian, Tunisian and Indian refugees escape the forces of Muammar Gaddafi at Tas Jedir, Libya, on the border with Tunisia, Feb. 26. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), some 16,000 people had fled over the Libyan border into Tunisia in recent days, as Libyan authorities launched a bloody crackdown on protests against the rule of Muammar Gadhafi.
Zohra Bensemra / Reuters Egyptians rush to take buses at the Libyan and Tunisian border crossing of Ras Jdir, after fleeing unrest in Libya, Feb. 26. People in Tunisia and Egypt are driving to the border to help those arriving from Libya, with many hosting strangers in their homes, international aid groups said on Friday. More than 30,000 people have streamed across land borders in response to violence in Libya, mainly Tunisians and Egyptians who had been working in the North African country, according to the International Organisation for Migration.
Gregorio Borgia / AP Chinese citizens wait aboard the "Palermo Grimaldi" ferry at the harbor in Valletta, Malta, Saturday, Feb. 26, after being evacuated from Benghazi, Libya. Tens of thousands of foreigners have been fleeing Libya this week. Turkish and Chinese workers climbed aboard ships by the thousands, Europeans mostly boarded evacuation flights and North Africans have been heading to Libya's borders with Egypt and Tunisia in overcrowded vans.
The brother of Salem Al-Moqlah, right, a Libyan who was killed in the recent clashes, mourns next to his grave in a cemetery in Benghazi, Feb . 26. - Suhaib Salem / Reuters
A man plays with his son in front of a cartoon depicting Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi in Benghazi, Feb. 26. - Goran Tomasevic / Reuters
A Libyan mourner collapses during the funeral of Anwar Elgadi, 44, who was killed the previous day by security forces, according to his brother Mohammed, in the Tajoora neighborhood of Tripoli, Feb. 26. - Ahmed Jadallah / Reuters
Getty Images - Refugees wait in line for transport after crossing the Ras Jedir border from Libya into Tunisia on February 27, 2011, near the Tunisian city of Ben Guerdane. More than 10,000 people fled Libya into Tunisia at the Ras Jedir post yesterday, most of them Egyptians, the Red Crescent said today, calling it a 'humanitarian crisis'.
Getty Images - The Italian warship San Giorgio arrives from Libya in the port of Catania on February 27, 2011. Italy has evacuated more than 1,000 of its citizens from the turmoil in Libya, the foreign ministry said on February 26. The evacuation effort 'has so far allowed more than 1,000 Italian citizens to return to Italy from Libya,' the ministry said in a statement.
Getty Images - Thousands of Egyptians wait to take transport at the Ras Jedir border crossing after fleeing Libya on February 27, 2011 near the Tunisian city of Ben Guerdane. More than 10,000 people fled Libya into Tunisia at the Ras Jedir post on Saturday, most of them Egyptians, the Red Crescent said today, calling it a 'humanitarian crisis'.
Getty Images Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Libya fill in forms after their arrival at the Manila International Airport on February 27, 2011. A second batch of Filipino workers arrived home from violence-torn Libya as the Philippines' foreign secretary landed in Tunisia to help oversee evacuation plans for the thousands still stranded. A total of 168 Filipinos have so far arrived home, including a group of hotel and construction workers who landed in the capital Manila early Sunday, the foreign department said in a statement.
Reuters Pictures A Shiite Muslim supporter of Majlis e Wahdat e Islami holds up a poster depicting Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as he marches with others in support of the people of Libya, Tunisia, Bahrain, Egypt and Yemen during a rally in Karachi February 27, 2011.
Reuters Pictures - Men wait in line to board British Royal Navy HMS Cumberland frigate at Benghazi port February 27, 2011. The frigate is being used to evacuate British citizens and other nationals from Libya.
