Interpol has issued a global alert for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his entourage to help member states implement UN Security Council sanctions and support the ICC investigation into them, Interpol said in a statement.

"Interpol has issued a global alert, known as an 'orange alert', against Colonel Gaddafi and 15 Libyan nationals, including members of his family and close aides, to warn member states of the danger posed by the movements of these individuals and their assets," the statement said.

Typically, Interpol's "orange alert" is used to alert the authorities of member countries to a possible threat from concealed weapons, hidden bombs, and other dangers. In this case, the organization announced its intention to take the necessary measures to prevent Gaddafi and his entourage, who are involved in "attacks on civilians and bombings," from violating the UN Security Council's travel and asset ban. To do this, Interpol will add the relevant information to its database and send it to border checkpoints.

"The ICC prosecutor will also need secure ways to obtain and disseminate information as part of his investigation - something that Interpol can provide," said the organisation's Secretary General, Ronald Noble.

Since February 15, protests have been taking place in Libyan provinces demanding the departure of Gaddafi, who has ruled the country for more than 40 years. According to international organizations, the authorities are brutally suppressing the demonstrations, and up to 6,000 people have been killed in clashes with security forces and foreign mercenaries. On February 27, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on Libya, which includes referring the situation in the country to the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). In addition, the UN Security Council sanctions prohibit entry into member countries of the organization for Gaddafi himself, his seven sons and daughter, the heads of the Libyan security services and the Minister of Defense. The bank accounts of Gaddafi, his daughter and four sons abroad will be frozen.

Interpol joins UN sanctions enforcement against Gaddafi