Libya: UN Security Council Endorses No-fly Zone

By Staff writer

The U.N. Security Council has voted in favour of a no-fly zone and possible air strikes against Muammar Gaddafi's forces. The decision draws from the admonishing remarks made by Gaddafi on Thursday claiming that he would have "no mercy" on rebels who resisted him as his cavalry advanced to the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi.

The French Prime Minister, François Fillon, said "time is of the essence" as Gaddafi's troops was closing in on Benghazi, and that France would support military action within hours of the vote. British and French military aircraft are preparing to protect the Libyan rebel in Benghazi after the UN Security Council finality.

Only five countries of the ten council members abstained from voting which includes China, Russia, Germany, Brazil and India. A minimum of nine out of the 15  Security Council’s members are required to vote in favour of a resolution authorising all necessary measures to protect civilians under threat of attack, in particular Benghazi., with no vetoes, for a resolution to be adopted. The resolution ruled out putting troops on the ground.

The US secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who is on a visit to Tunisia, said a no-fly zone would "require certain actions taken to protect the planes and the pilots, including bombing targets like the Libyan defence systems".

Several Arab countries have promised to join the operation. The US backed the resolution, a complete turnaround after weeks of resisting no-fly zone proposals, but has not yet said what role it would play in military action. They warn against expectations of imminent action.

As the deliberations were over it was celebration time for rebels in Benghazi in the streets soon after the no-fly vote was announced. Gaddafi called the vote "flagrant colonisation" and warned of dire consequences. "This is craziness, madness, arrogance," he told the Portuguese TV channel. RTP. "If the world gets crazy with us, we will get crazy too. We will respond."

The UN resolution was co-sponsored by Britain, France and Lebanon, with the US heavily involved in the drafting. A Security Council source said the resolution would impose a no-fly zone over Libya but that was no longer enough. "The resolution authorises air strikes against tank columns advancing on Benghazi or engaging naval ships bombarding Benghazi," he said.