CAIRO: The United Nations Security Council authorized “all necessary measures” to stop Muammar Gaddafi in Libya on Thursday evening. The resolution includes strikes by sea and air. The resolution was approved by 10 of the 15-member assembly, with 5 abstentions. It was backed by the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. China and Russia were among those who abstained. It also imposes a no-fly zone over Libya and authorizes force, short of a ground offensive, to protect the Libyan people from Gaddafi's forces. While in Tunisia, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said a no-fly zone would include “bombing targets like the Libyan defense systems.” The decision was made hours after Gaddafi vowed in “harrowing terms” to launch a final assault and “crush the weeks-old rebellion against him,” reported the Associated Press. Gaddafi's forces have continually used extreme violence against demonstrators since an uprising began in February to topple his rule, following successful uprisings in Tunisis and Egypt. BM
