UN Security Council Approves No Fly Zone in Libya

In a 10 to 0 vote, the U.N. Security Council approved a resolution to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. Russia, China, India, Germany and Brazil abstained from the vote. U.N. members were also authorized to take “all necessary measures to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.” The agreement excludes “a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory.”

The decision came after embattled Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi vowed to launch a massive assault against opposition rebels in the city of Benghazi. The uprising against Gaddafi began February 15 with widespread protests. Rebels soon took control of several eastern cities.

Earlier this month, Gaddafi warned the United States and NATO against providing help to the opposition. "We will enter a bloody war and thousands and thousands of Libyans will die if the United States or NATO enters," he said.

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