United Nations, Feb 23 (IANS) The UN Security Council Tuesday held a private meeting here to discuss the latest development in Libya, Xinhua reported.

The meeting started around 3.20 p.m. following a request for discussion on the Libyan situation from the country's permanent mission to the UN.

"The Security Council held consultations this morning following a request from Libya's permanent mission to the United Nations. After that, the Council members agreed to hold a private meeting at 3.00 this afternoon, on 'peace and security in Africa,'" UN spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters here.

Earlier Tuesday, the Libyan permanent representative to the UN, Mohamed Shalgham, told reporters here that he represents Libya and he will speak at the council meeting. He said that he wants to tell the Security Council that he has been calling on Tripoli to end the bloodshed.

Diplomats told Xinhua that the Security Council is expected to issue a press statement, which is not legally binding, at the end of the meeting. The press statement does not become the UN document.

Unrest shook Libya in recent days, and government crackdowns on protesters have reportedly resulted in mass casualties.