UNITED NATIONS, Feb 27: The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday night to impose sanctions against Libyan leader Muammar Qadhafi, his immediate family and his top associates in connection with the regime’s deadly response to anti-government protests, and to refer the matter to a war crimes tribunal.

In an effort to spare the Libyan people of the effect of sanctions the resolution specifically freezes the assets of Col Qadhafi, his four sons, a daughter and 10 members of his inner circle. It also imposes a travel ban on all 16.

Council members also agreed to refer the regime’s crackdown to a permanent war crimes tribunal for an investigation of possible crimes against humanity.

The council again demanded an immediate end to attacks on civilians by Qadhafi’s supporters.

The United Nations says more than 1,000 anti-government protesters have been killed in Libya.

The resolution also prohibit all UN member nations from providing any kind of arms to Libya or allowing the transportation of mercenaries, who are believed to have played a part in the recent violence.

Suspected shipments of arms should be halted and inspected, the resolution said.

Susan E. Rice, the US Ambassador to United Nations, said the resolution was a clear warning to the Libyan government that it must stop the killing.

Those who slaughter civilians will be held personally accountable, she said.

But Turkey’s Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned that sanctions would do more harm to Libya’s people than to Colonel Qadhafi.