UN Slaps Sanctions on Gadhafi, Calls for War Crimes Investigation

The United Nations Security Council unanimously voted tonight to impose an arms embargo on Libya, a travel and assets ban on Col. Moammar Gadhafi and his inner circle, and referred the case to the International Criminal Court.

And the U.N. named names: Gadhafi, five of his children and 10 of his top aides were hit with the sanctions.

Council members agreed to refer the issue of the Gadhafi regime's brutal and systematic attacks on protesters to the war crimes tribunal for an investigation into possible crimes against humanity.

Diplomats hope the threat of prosecution for war crimes will cause even more of Gadhafi's dwindling inner circle to jump ship.

"This is wonderful, this is what we were waiting for, this is great!" Mohamed Eljahmi, a Libyan-American activist, told AOL News today.

Eljahmi's brother, Fathi, a leading Libyan dissident, died in state custody in 2009 after protesting Gadhafi's regime for years.

"This is the best news I've heard for Libya in awhile," Eljahmi said. "Eventually what's just comes to people who deserve it. Gadhafi's bad deeds are finally coming back to him."

The resolution stated that "widespread and systematic attacks currently taking place in Libya against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity" and "those responsible for the attacks" must be held accountable, according to The Wall Street Journal.

All nations must also immediately freeze assets in their countries held by any of the Libyan leaders named in the resolution.

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Photos From Libya

Libyans chant slogans against leader Moammar Gadhafi during a demonstration in the city of Tobruk on Saturday. Click the image for more photos from Libya.

Photos From Libya

BENGHAZI, LIBYA - FEBRUARY 24: A Libyan border guard walks through an empty customs hall on February 24, 2011 on the Libya-Egyptian border. Eastern Libya is now largely under opposition control, while forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi battled rebels near the capitol Tripoli. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Photos From Libya

BENGHAZI, LIBYA - FEBRUARY 24: Opposition militiamen speak at a Libyan national security building on February 24, 2011 in Benghazi, Libya. The building was destroyed last weekend as opposition forces battled troops loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. Benghazi is now largely under opposition control, as Gaddafi's forces battled rebels near the capitol Tripoli. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Photos From Libya

BENGHAZI, LIBYA - FEBRUARY 24: Citizens tour an an underground jail that oppostion supporters excavated at a palace compound of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on February 24, 2011 in Benghazi, Libya. The palace, like many government buildings in Benghazi, was heavily damaged during the previous week of fighting. The city is now under opposition control. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Photos From Libya

BENGHAZI, LIBYA - FEBRUARY 24: A youth peers into an underground jail at a palace compound of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on February 24, 2011 in Benghazi, Libya. The palace, like many government buildings in Benghazi, was heavily damaged during the previous week of fighting. The city is now under opposition control. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Photos From Libya

A Libyan man who was wounded by a gunshot during anti-Kadhafi protests rests at a hospital in the eastern dissident-held Libyan city of Beida on February 23, 2011 as the country witnesses political turmoil and an insurrection against Moamer Kadhafi's regime. AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA (Photo credit should read GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

Photos From Libya

BENGHAZI, LIBYA - FEBRUARY 24: A civilian walks through the rubble of a palace compound of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on February 24, 2011 in Benghazi, Libya. The palace, like many government buildings in Benghazi, was heavily damaged during the previous week of fighting. The city is now under opposition control. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Photos From Libya

A Libyan man wounded by gunshot rests at the hospital of the eastern dissident-held Libyan city of Beida on February 23, 2011 as the country witnesses political turmoil and an insurrection against Kadhafi's regime. AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA (Photo credit should read GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

Photos From Libya

BENGHAZI, LIBYA - FEBRUARY 24: Citizens walk through the rubble of a palace compound of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi on February 24, 2011 in Benghazi, Libya. The palace, like many government buildings in Benghazi, was heavily damaged during the previous week of fighting. The city is now under opposition control. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

Photos From Libya

An injured supporter of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi sits in prison in the eastern dissident-held Libyan city of Beida on February 24, 2011 as the country witnesses political turmoil and an insurrection against Kadhafi's regime. AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA (Photo credit should read GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

Photos From Libya

A vandelised portrait of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi is used as a doormat at a prison in the eastern dissident-held Libyan city of Beida on February 24, 2011 as the country witnesses political turmoil and an insurrection against Moamer Kadhafi's regime. AFP PHOTO/GIANLUIGI GUERCIA (Photo credit should read GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)

Photos From Libya

The 15-0 vote came after nearly eight hours of discussions and followed an impassioned plea by Libyan Ambassador Mohammed Shalgham for the U.N. to "save" his nation on Friday.

In an emotional speech to the Security Council yesterday, Shalgham broke with the Gadhafi regime and asked that sanctions be adopted.

Council members did not consider imposing a no-fly zone over Libya, and no U.N.-sanctioned military action was planned. NATO also has ruled out any intervention in Libya, the Associated Press reported.

More than 1,000 protesters have been killed by government loyalists since the popular rebellion against 42 years of Gadhafi's autocratic rule began Feb. 17.