Libyan leader, protesters defiant as world leaders seek resolution

Benghazi, Libya (CNN) — International pressure mounted against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Saturday amid clashes between security forces and anti-government protesters in the north African country.

A U.N. security panel is scheduled to meet Saturday morning to discuss a draft resolution against Gadhafi, who is clinging to power as protesters call for an end to his 42-year rule.

Thus far, the embattled leader has defied calls to step down and said he is ready to “die a martyr.”

The resolution by the security panel includes an arms embargo, asset freeze and a travel ban. It also refers Libya to the International Criminal Court.

More than 1,000 people have been killed in clashes in recent days, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon estimated Friday.

Ban also cited reports of security forces shooting civilians at homes and inside hospitals in the capital, Tripoli.

The capital is largely deserted because people are afraid of being shot by government forces or militias, he said.

Security forces and protesters have clashed daily in at least three cities near the capital, according to Ban.

Human rights groups and witnesses have reported indiscriminate killings, shooting of peaceful demonstrators, torture of the opposition and use of foreign mercenaries, according to Ban. Victims have included women and children, he said, referring to reports.

CNN could not confirm reports for many areas in Libya. The Libyan government maintains tight control of communications. CNN has interviewed numerous witnesses by phone.

Ban called on the council to come up with immediate actions against the ruler.

“In these circumstances, the loss of time means more loss of lives,” Ban told the 15-member security body Friday.

The International Criminal Court has said it can only investigate alleged crimes in the nation if Libyan authorities accept its jurisdiction or the security council refers the situation to the court.

Unless either decision is taken, it cannot investigate because Libya is not a state party to the court, said prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo.

As the standoff continues, the embattled but defiant leader urged his supporters to defend the nation.

Gadhafi — wearing a fur trooper’s hat and addressing a crowd of supporters — threatened to escalate the violence during a speech on state television.

“We can destroy any assault with the people’s will, with the armed people,” he said Friday. “And when it is necessary, the weapons depots will be open to all the Libyan people to be armed.”

Meanwhile, world leaders are scrambling to come up with a solution to the crisis.

Ban said he will travel Monday to Washington to speak with U.S. President Barack Obama.

White House press secretary Jay Carney said Washington was suspending embassy operations in Tripoli and pursuing sanctions. State Department officials said they have other channels to communicate with the Libyan government, and emphasized that while the embassy is closed, the relations are not broken.

“The flag is still flying. The embassy is not closed. Operations are suspended,” said Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick Kennedy.

NATO Secretary-General Anders Rasmussen said the alliance has assets that can be used in the crisis and it could “act as an enabler and coordinator, if and when, individual member states want to take action.”

Libya’s uprising, after four decades of Gadhafi’s iron rule, first started in the nation’s eastern province.

Benghazi and other smaller eastern towns are no longer under the ruler’s control.

However, closer to Tripoli, where the dictator maintains some support, protesters were still being met with brute force.

CNN’s Yousuf Basil, Ben Wedeman, Saad Abedine, Richard Roth, John King, Whitney Hurst, Pam Benson, Ingrid Formanek and Salma Abdelaziz contributed to this report.