The United States President Barak Obama has signed an executive order that imposes unilateral sanctions on Libya, saying continued violence and unrest there poses an ‘unusual and extraordinary threat'' to America's national security and foreign policy. The president said the sanctions are designed to target the government of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi while protecting the assets of the Libyan people. The White House says the United States has shuttered its embassy in Libya and is moving forward with sanctions to pressure the government to stop its violent crackdown on anti-government protesters. The UN Human Rights Council has unanimously passed a resolution recommending suspension of Libya from the Geneva-based body. It decided to conduct an independent probe into violations by the Gaddafi regime. The 47-nation body’s recommendation to suspend Libya needs to be approved by a two-thirds majority at the 192-member United Nations General Assembly.