International Criminal Court to Open Libya Investigation
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}March 2: Emergency services attend to the scene of a fuel-tanker explosion, which security forces at the scene said was due to a road accident, in Tripoli, Libya. (AP)
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court says he is opening a formal investigation into possible crimes against humanity in Libya.
The announcement is an unprecedentedly swift reaction to the violent crackdown on anti-government protests by Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and his supporters.
Prosecutors often take months and sometimes years to decide whether to open an investigation into possible war crimes.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Wednesday's announcement said Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo has decided to launch the investigation after a "preliminary examination of available information."
The United Nations Security Council on Saturday ordered the court to look into possible crimes in Libya. Moreno-Ocampo only began a preliminary probe Monday.