UN Security Council Approves No-Fly Zone Over Libya
VOA News March 17, 2011
The United Nations Security Council has approved a no-fly zone over Libya to protect civilians and rebels from Libyan government airstrikes.
Thursday's vote was 10 in favor with no votes against. Five countries abstained.
The resolution authorizes UN members to take "all necessary measures" to protect civilians, including a ban on all flights over Libya. The resolution expresses grave concern at the deteriorating situation in Libya, where rebels have been trying to topple long-time leader Moammar Gadhafi.
Before Thursday's vote, Mr. Gadhafi warned rebels in their stronghold city of Benghazi to surrender or face an imminent attack. He said his forces will show no mercy and search every home for those he calls traitors.
Central Benghazi was packed with defiant Libyans as the council voted. Some waved the pre-Gadhafi Libyan flag.
French Prime Minister Francois Fillon says his government supports military action against Libya as quickly as possible. France, Britain, and Lebanon were the three sponsors of Thursday's resolution.
Libyan state television warned that any military action against the country will expose all Mediterranean air and maritime traffic to "danger."
Libyan rebels say they shot down two government warplanes that tried to bomb Benghazi Thursday. Pro-Gadhafi forces launched airstrikes on nearby Ajdabiya and surrounded rebels holding out in the town, located south of Benghazi,.
Reports from Ajdabiya said about 30 people have been killed in fighting there since Tuesday. In the west, Libyan state television said government troops recaptured Misrata, the country's third largest city. Rebels denied the claim.
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