The federal government is getting ready to evacuate some 80 Australians from Libya as the heightened violence could not be quelled by any peaceful means.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said today that the estimated 80 Australians are believed to be in the North African country.

The Human Rights Watch cited a death toll of 400 deaths from a spate of 233 as the troops of leader Muammar Qaddafi and son started a bloody crackdown on street protests.

French and British nationals working for BP and Total are also being sought to be evacuated.

The United Nations joined calls for Colonel Gaddafi to quit, US media reported, with deputy ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi telling CNN Gaddafi has "declared war" on the Libyan people and is committing "genocide".

In an interview with BBC World, Mr Dabbashi added: "I think it is the end of Colonel Gaddafi, it is a matter of days, whether he steps down or the Libyan people will get rid of him anyway."

UN chief Ban Ki-moon told Colonel Gaddafi in a phone call that the violence "must stop immediately" and called for a broad-based dialogue, a UN spokesman said.

Oil prices soar

The price of oil have reached its highest in two years as the spurt of violence in Libya is feared to spill further in the Middle East and North Africa.

Libya, which holds Africa's biggest oil reserves, has been caught in a violent disarray, as government troops led by leader refused to give up power and are even quelling national protests with an iron fist.

Goldman Sachs said in a commentary today that oil prices might breach the range of $110 to $115 a barrel if the crisis in the Middle East does not end soon.