The government this evening denied that the EU has agreed to impose sanctions against Libya.

Referring to a story carried by timesofmalta.com the government in a statement said: "While preparatory discussions are currently underway amongst the EU Member States no decisions have been taken on the imposition of any sanctions vis-à-vis Libya. In all discussions Malta has maintained that priority should be given to evacuating EU citizens."

The government said it was incorrect to state that “an agreement was reached by all 27 member states, including Malta, this afternoon and that “Malta, Italy and Cyprus were at first hesitant on the ‘rapidity’ of imposing these sanctions but have also come on board”.

EU sources had told timesofmalta.com that states had informally agreed on a first series of sanctions to be taken against the Gaddafi regime These sanctions, which include an arms embargo, freezing of assets and travel bans on Libyan officials, including Colonel Gaddafi and his close aides, are expected to be legally formalised by Tuesday.

Ivan Camilleri, who filed the timesofmalta.com story, said he stands by it.

Meanwhile, international news agency AFP reported a similar story from Brussels. It said:

"European Union nations on Friday agreed to slap an arms embargo, assets freezes and travel bans on Libya, an EU diplomat said.

The sanctions against Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi's regime, which will also include an embargo on providing Tripoli with law enforcement equipment, will not be enforced for several days.

Friday's accord between the 27 EU nations still needs to be drafted legally, said the diplomat, who asked not to be identified.

EU sources refused to say who or how many Libyans were targeted "to avoid a run on assets", as one diplomat put it."

Earlier on Friday, EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton said "it's time to consider what we call restrictive measures, to think about what we can do to ensure we are putting as much pressure as possible to try and stop the violence in Libya."

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council in New York is this evening expected to discuss a draft resolution proposed by the UK and France, both EU member states, with a package of measures aimed at isolating Libya's political and military leaders.

Elements could include targeted sanctions, an arms embargo, and a proposed referral of the situation in Libya to the ICC (International Criminal Court).

The UN meeting will start at 9 p.m. local time.