Ban to Gaddafi: Protect civilians under all circumstances

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke on Monday with Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi and expressed concern over the escalating violence in the country.

Ban urged Qaddafi to respect basic human rights and liberties, including the freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of information, and stressed that his duty was to protect the civil population under all circumstances. (Yitzhak Benhorin, Washington)