Libya’s ruler Muammar Gaddafi’s regime called the United Nations on Friday to suspend sanctions taken against him over his crackdown on opposition protests, saying that the Libyan government was "taken aback" by the sanction.

Libya’s ruler Muammar Gaddafi’s regime called the United Nations on Friday to suspend sanctions taken against him over his crackdown on opposition protests, saying that the Libyan government was "taken aback" by the sanctions.

In a letter sent to the UN Security Council, Foreign Minister Mussa Kussa claimed that only "a modicum" of force has been used against opposition demonstrators and that the government was "taken aback" by the sanctions.

The regime called for the travel ban and assets freeze ordered again Gaddafi and his entourage "to be suspended until such time as the truth is established."
Kussa demanded that the Security Council "stand up to the states that are threatening force against it."

The letter was the first official reaction communicated to the United Nations since the sanctions were unanimously passed by the council last Saturday.
Rights groups say 6,000 people have been killed since protests against Gaddafi erupted on February 15. The United Nations says that more than 1,000 have died.

A Security Council diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "It\'s just another example of the regime\'s refusal to accept the consequences of their actions.
"However, it also shows that they are rattled by the firm and united action taken by the international community."

China and Russia have joined in international condemnation of violence used against demonstrators.

However Kussa said security forces had only acted against "subversive acts."
"Where a modicum of force has been used, it has been against law-breakers that have included extremist elements who have exploited others in order to commit acts of destruction and terrorism," said the letter.