The White House announced today that the U.S. is moving forward with unilateral sanctions against the regime of Libyan leader Colonel Moammar Gaddafi.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said the U.S. embassy in Tripoli has been “shuttered” for security reasons, and its charge d’affaires and other embassy personnel evacuated today, CNN reports “State Department officials stressed that diplomatic ties were not suspended and channels for discussion remained open.”

Carney also said the U.S. is working with European allies and the United Nations on multilateral sanctions, including an arms embargo, an asset freeze, and a travel ban. Reuters reported that France and Britain called on the U.N. to approve the arms embargo and sanctions, and to refer the “crimes against humanity” in Libya to the International Criminal Court in The Hague for investigation and possible prosecution. In addition, NATO said it was ready to help to evacuate refugees.

The U.S. Treasury Department advised banks to monitor accounts held by key political figures in the Gaddafi regime and to report financial transactions “that could potentially represent misappropriated or diverted state assets,” according to a government statement, CNN reported.

United Nations Secretary General Ban ki-Moon addressed a session of the Security Council focused on Libya today, urging the Council to take “decisive action” on the crisis. During the session, Libya’s ambassador to the U.N., Abdurrahman Shalgham, delivered what the New York Times called an “emotional address” – one that literally ended in tears after he denounced Gaddafi’s behavior, comparing him to Pol Pot and Hitler. From the Times:

Mr. Shalgham, who had called Colonel Qaddafi “brave” just two days ago in remarks to reporters, attacked the Libyan leader for “telling his people: ‘either I rule over you or I kill you.’”

President Obama is scheduled to meet with the Secretary General in Washington on Monday, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Geneva, Switzerland to meet with the U.N.’s Human Rights Council.

In response to the escalating violence, the Human Rights Council convened an emergency session on Libya today. As Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights, said “One thing is painfully clear. In brazen and continuing breach of international law, the crackdown in Libya on peaceful demonstrations is escalating alarmingly with reported mass killings, arbitrary arrests, detention and torture of prisoners.”

The Council voted unanimously to suspend Libya’s membership, but, as the New York Times noted:

not before a junior official of the Libyan mission took the floor to announce that he and his colleagues had resigned after deciding to side with the Libyan people.

The gesture drew a standing ovation from the crowded chamber and a congratulatory handshake from the United States ambassador, Eileen Donahoe.

Even as the Council was meeting in Geneva, gunshots rang out in Tripoli as pro-Gaddafi forces opened fire on crowds as they streamed out of mosques following Friday prayers to take part in peaceful demonstrations.

ABC News reported:

The gunfire erupted on marchers who were chanting slogans for Gadhafi’s ouster.

“There are all kind of bullets,” said one protester near the Souq al-Jomaa, screaming in a telephone call to The Associated Press, with the rattle of shots audible in the background.

“The situation is chaotic in parts of Tripoli now,” said another witness, who was among marchers in adjacent Algeria Square and said he saw militiamen firing in the air. Armed Gadhafi supporters were also speeding through some streets in vehicles, he said.

This video shows protesters in Tripoli being met with gunfire. You can hear the protesters chanting “Allah Akbar” (“God is great”) and shots ringing out:

Friday, too, shortly before the White House announced its plan to impose sanctions, the U.S.-chartered ferryboat that had been delayed for 3 days due to bad weather, finally departed Libya and made its way to Malta with about 300 passengers on board. The U.S. also successfully chartered a plane out of Tripoli that carried passengers to Turkey.

In stark contrast, Moammar Gaddafi appeared on state television again on Friday and was seen addressing supporters in Tripoli’s Green Square. It’s unclear whether Gaddafi’s speech was broadcast was live or had been taped earlier in the day.

Perched high above the crowds on the ramparts the Red Castle, an historic fort, Gaddafi said he wanted people to live in dignity and with high morals. He also reiterated what has become his mantra ever since the uprising started on February 15^th: that he would fight to the death rather than lose power. And, Gaddafi also told the crowds to sing, dance and be happy.

Perhaps more disturbingly, though, Gaddafi said he was ready to open state arsenals and distribute weapons to those who are loyal to him.  

The question remains, what will Gaddafi do next? He certainly shows no sign of backing down. As his grip of his country weakens and his support dwindles, observers note that Libya is not Egypt, and Gaddafi is known to be unpredictable to say the least, and if he feels backed into a corner, he could become even more dangerous. 

When CNN Turk interviewed Gaddafi’s son Seif, the reported asked if the family has a “Plan B” in case they lose power: “We have Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. Plan A is to live and die in Libya, Plan B is to live and die in Libya, Plan C is to live and die in Libya.”

TAKE ACTION: Sign the petition asking Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has a close relationship with Moammar Gaddafi, to condemn violence against the Libyan protesters.

Previous Care2 Coverage on the unrest in North Africa and the Middle East 

Chaos and Hysteria as Thousands Try to Leave Libya [VIDEO]

Gaddafi Blames Uprising On Osama Bin Laden; Says Al Qaeda Drugging Libyan Youth (VIDEO)

Libyan Opposition Gains Greater Control; Mercenaries Roam Tripoli With Orders To Shoot; U.S. Tries To Evacuate Citizens (VIDEO)

World Leaders React To Gaddafi’s TV Address; Update On Protests In Bahrain, Yemen, Algeria and Egypt

In Televison Address, Gaddafi Vows To Fight On And “Die A Martyr”

Gaddafi’s Grip on Libya Weakens; EU Fears Mass Influx of African Migrants [VIDEO]