THE HAGUE, NETHERLANDS (BNO NEWS) -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Monday announced that arrest warrants for Libyan head of state Colonel Muammar Gaddafi and two others, including his son, had been issued for crimes against humanity.

The Libyan head of state, as well as Saif Al-Islam Gaddafi and Abdullah Al-Senussi, are being sought for allegedly using the State apparatus and Security Forces for committing murder and persecution across Libya in February.

The ICC said that there are "reasonable grounds to believe that the three suspects committed the alleged crimes and that their arrests appear necessary in order to ensure their appearances before the Court; to ensure that they do not continue to obstruct and endanger the Court's investigations; and to prevent them from using their powers to continue the commission of crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court."

The United Nations Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the ICC Prosecutor in February, demanding that Libyan authorities cooperate with the court and prosecutor. In addition, the council urged all States and concerned regional and other international organizations to fully cooperate as well.

As a result, the ICC Prosecutor decided to open an investigation less than a week later, and on May 16, it requested the issuance of the arrest warrants, which were made on Monday by the Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC, composed of Judges Sanji Mmasenono Monageng (Presiding), Sylvia Steiner and Cuno Tarfusser.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague welcomed the ICC's judges' decision to issue the arrest warrants for the three individuals who "should be held to account before judges in a criminal court." The Foreign Secretary also said that the UK would continue to support the ICC and called upon the Libyan government to cooperate fully with the investigation.

"The warrants further demonstrate why Gaddafi has lost all legitimacy and why he should go immediately. His forces continue to attack Libyans without mercy and this must stop," Hague stated.

"Individuals throughout the regime should abandon Gaddafi," the Foreign Secretary stressed, also welcoming the "courageous actions" of those fighting against the regime and recognizing the "inspiring stories of those who have refused to act against their own people or commit atrocities."

Libya has been engulfed in a civil war since an uprising against Muammar Gaddafi's regime began in mid-February, while Libyan forces have been accused of violently cracking down on anti-government protesters.

NATO took control of foreign military operations in Libya on March 31 under UN Security Council Resolution 1973, which authorized member states to take 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians.

NATO forces have carried out frequent air strikes and imposed a no-fly zone over the North African country. At least 5,000 and as many as 13,000 people are believed to have been killed since the uprising began in February, fueled by successful revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt.

(Copyright 2011 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)