..as U.S.   backs Libya’s expulsion from UN

Libya’s government, in it designs to clinging to power after a popular revolt, has ordered massive cash handouts include wage increases, food subsidies and allowances, state television reported.

It said each family will receive 500 Libyan dinars (400 dollars) to help cover increased food costs, and that wages for some categories of public sector workers would increase by 150 per cent, the television station said.

In another development the U.S. said on Thursday, it supported expelling Libya from the UN Human Rights Council, saying the government had violated the rights of its people.

Witnesses have said Libyan leader, Col. Muammar Gaddafi has used aircraft, tanks and mercenaries to try to crush protests against his 41-year rule of the oil-exporting nation in North Africa.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled to fly to Geneva this weekend to attend a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council and to consult other foreign ministers on how to try to stop the violence in Libya.

“We support expelling Libya from the Human Rights Council and the Libyan government has violated the rights of its people saying such a step would increase Libya’s international isolation,” said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley. (Reuters/NAN