Associated Press
"Few countries have as much at stake in Libya as Italy, an energy-poor country needing both Libya's oil and its cooperation in keeping potential boat people far from its nearby shores."
ENI (Italian) and BP (UK) are the major oil producers in Libya.
Saudi Arabia says it will increase production to help replace European supplies currently lost in the uprising but it will take time to work out logistics.

Now not only 'boat people' but productive citizens are leaving the country. Unless Gadhafi is removed quickly, Libyans will suffer for a long time (Perhaps his friend, Berlusconi, should also go quickly).