US weighs ‘appropriate’ response on Libya: official

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WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama is “considering all appropriate actions” on Libya, an administration official said Monday, urging Moamer Kadhafi’s regime not to use force against raging protests.

Angry Libyan demonstrators attacked the state broadcaster and set government buildings ablaze on Monday as the leader’s son warned that the north African country faces civil war and “rivers of blood.”

With gunfire crackling in the streets of Tripoli, and Human Rights Watch putting the death toll at 233 since Thursday, Saif al-Islam Kadhafi vaguely promised reforms as he condemned the revolt as a foreign plot.

“We are analyzing the speech of Saif al-Islam Kadhafi to see what possibilities it contains for meaningful reform,” an administration official said.

“We will seek clarification from senior Libyan officials, as we continue to raise with them the need to avoid violence against peaceful protesters and respect universal rights.”

The official added that Obama was briefed on the situation on Sunday night by his national security advisor, Tom Donilon, “and is being kept up to speed on events today, and we are considering all appropriate actions.”