The American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that those responsible for the violence against civilians in Libya must be held to account. Speaking in Washington, she said the United States would look at all possible options to end the violence.

"We are joining with the rest of the world in sending a clear message to the Libyan government that violence is unacceptable and that the Libyan government will be

held accountable

. Now the way that we will

proceed

in the Security Council and in the Human Rights Council is to

come up with

the best approaches that we think will help the people of Libya."

Earlier, Washington said it was considering an assets freeze on Libya.

In Brussels, European Union ambassadors said the EU was ready to impose further measures against Libya if necessary. And the Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has warned that up to 300,000 Libyans could try to enter Europe.

A massive evacuation operation is in full swing as countries around the world try to rescue tens of thousands of their nationals caught up in the chaos

engulf

ing Libya. The United States, China and many European countries have sent in planes, ships and ferries to help their citizens escape the increasingly unstable situation. Turkey has already evacuated 5,000 of its citizens.

The price of oil has jumped sharply in reaction to the continuing crisis in Libya. In New York, it passed $100 a barrel for the first time since 2008. Brent crude reached $110 a barrel.