New York (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The UN Security Council last night voted a resolution calling for the imposition of a "no fly zone " over Libya and authorizes military action to protect the civilian population. The Security Council took its decision five days after the Arab League asked the UN to try to stop the advancing forces of Gaddafi, to avoid the danger that the rebels and their supporters are crushed by government forces, especially by airstrikes.
The vote resulted 10 to zero in favour of the resolution, with the abstention of five countries: Russia, China, India, Germany and Brazil. Russia and China expressed their reservations about the use of force by the UN and other institutions, while Germany is concerned that military action may have heavy humanitarian consequences.
The United States, rethinking its position, joined the proposal initially put forward by- United Kingdom, France and Lebanon - not only fought for a quick vote, but also for military action, beyond the creation of a "no fly zone " to protect civilians from attacks from the air, sea and land. The United States, United Kingdom, France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Gabon, Lebanon, Nigeria, Colombia, South Africa and Portugal all voted in favour.
The resolution calls for an immediate cease-fire, imposes a “no fly zone" and authorizes "all necessary measures to protect civilians and areas populated by civilians under threat of attack." But it excludes the possibility of a foreign occupation force "in any form or in any part of Libya."
