With hundreds killed in Libya uprising, Canada’s foreign minister condemns violence

Canada’s minister of foreign affairs has denounced the killing of protesters by security forces in Libya.

“Canada strongly condemns the violent crackdowns on innocent protesters that have resulted in many injured and killed,” Lawrence Cannon said in a statement today (February 21). “We call on the Libyan security forces to respect the human rights of demonstrators and uphold their commitment to freedom of speech and the right to assembly. The Libyan authorities must show restraint and stop the use of lethal force against protesters.”

The Canadian government has issued a travel warning, advising citizens to “avoid all travel” to Libya.

According to the Guardian, more than 230 people have been killed in the uprising against dictator Moammar Gadhafi’s 40-year rule.

Protesters in the capital, Tripoli, have reportedly set government buildings ablaze and attacked the headquarters of the state TV network.

Witnesses told BBC News that warplanes have fired their weapons at protesters in Tripoli.

With senior officials starting to break with his regime, Gadhafi has left the capital, according to the BBC’s sources.

You can follow Stephen Hui on Twitter at twitter.com/stephenhui.