UN chief Ban Ki-moon demanded decisive action by the UN Security Council against Moamer Gaddafi’s bloody crackdown in Libya, warning that any delay would add to the growing death toll.

Ban's call and an emotional speech by the Libyan ambassador to the United Nations - in which he mentioned the actions of Hitler, Stalin and Pol Pot - jolted the council into ordering a special meeting on Feb 26 to consider a sanctions resolution against Gaddafi.

Britain, France, Germany and the United States have drawn up a resolution which says the attacks on civilians could amount to crimes against humanity. It calls for an arms embargo and a travel ban and assets freeze against Gaddafi and his entourage.

Intense negotiations are expected however as some other countries raised reservations about some of the measures, AFP reports.

The UN leader said more than 1,000 people have already been killed in the Libyan bloodshed. Libya's deputy UN envoy said earlier that thousands had been killed.

Ban told the 15-nation council of reports that Libyan forces had gone into hospitals to kill wounded opponents, and soldiers were being killed because they had refused to fire on civilians.

"People cannot leave their houses for fear of being shot by government forces or militias," he said. "It is time for the Security Council to consider concrete action. The hours and the days ahead will be decisive for Libyans and their country, with equally important implications for the wider region. In these circumstances, the loss of time means more loss of lives," the UN leader said.