French President Nicolas Sarkozy pressed on February 23 for European Union sanctions against Libya's regime because of its violent crackdown on protesters, and raised the possibility of cutting all economic and business ties between the EU and the North African nation.

"The continuing brutal and bloody repression against the Libyan civilian population is revolting," Sarkozy said in a statement. "The international community cannot remain a spectator to these massive violations of human rights."

France's president has asked the Foreign Ministry to propose sanctions including barring those implicated in the crackdown from the European Union and monitoring their financial transactions. He also wants to ensure they are brought to justice.

The statement added that Sarkozy wants to examine the possibility of suspending economic, commercial and financial relations with Libya.

Sarkozy's proposal was a sharp turnaround from 2007, when he hosted Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi for a pomp-filled visit to Paris, and the two countries cut billions of euros in deals for arms and nuclear reactors.

The warm welcome for the Libyan leader drew angry protests, including from France's then-human rights minister, who said rewarding a man accused of rights abuses with business deals was letting him treat France as "a doormat", The Associated Press reported.

The crisis has sent oil prices soaring to the highest level in more than two years. On Tuesday, Gadhafi vowed to fight to his "last drop of blood."