Music stars including Beyonce have come under fire over gigs they played for members of Colonel Gaddafi's family.

Governments around the world have called for Colonel Gaddafi to end his rule in Libya, amid reports that he has ordered his security services to turn on his own people.

Beyonce and Usher are both understood to have performed for Gaddafi's sons last year, while Mariah Carey played a lavish New Years Eve party in 2009. All three are reported to have received huge amounts of money in return for the gigs.

Howie Klein, former president of Reprise Records, told Rolling Stone he was sickened that the pop stars agreed to perform for the leader's family.

"What they all have in common is they're all kleptocracies – they've got a family stealing all the money,” he said.

“And for very, very wealthy American and British pop stars to take part in this kind of thing makes me want to puke."

David T. Viecelli, agent for Arcade Fire, also questioned whether it was ethical for the music stars to perform the shows.

Spokespeople for all three artists refused to comment on the gigs.

(by Jason Gregory)