Breaking News -- UN Security Council Approves Libya No-Fly Zone

CNN Breaking News -- U.N. Security Council approves measures including no-fly zone to try to halt Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's advances.

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U.N. Security Council approves no-fly zone in Libya
From Richard Roth, CNN Senior U.N. Correspondent
March 17, 2011 6:47 p.m. EDT

United Nations (CNN) -- The U.N. Security Council voted Thursday evening to impose a no-fly zone and other measures to try to halt Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's rapid advances against rebel positions in his country.

Diplomats warned that action was needed before Gadhafi reached the opposition stronghold of Benghazi and crush the movement.

"We should not arrive too late," French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said.

The resolution was approved with 10 votes. China, Russia, Germany, India and Brazil abstained.

Libyan rebel: We've seen heavy gunfire A draft included language stating that "all necessary means" could be used to prevent the "slaughter of civilians," a diplomat said.

Opposition leaders wanted U.N. action because of recent gains made by Gadhafi forces and the imminent offensive against Benghazi.

"We're hoping and praying that the United Nations will come up with a very firm and very fast resolution and they will enforce it immediately," said Ahmed El-Gallal, a senior opposition coordinator.

In a radio address aired on Libyan state TV, Gadhafi criticized residents of Benghazi and called them "traitors" for seeking help from outsiders.

U.S. military officials have said that a no-fly zone would typically be enforced by fighter jets whose speed and altitude make it difficult to target Gadhafi's helicopters and that it would not halt the heavy artillery the regime is using on the ground.

A draft version of a proposed resolution goes beyond a no-fly zone. It includes language saying U.N. member states could "take all necessary measures ... to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force."

It also condemns the "gross and systematic violation of human rights, including arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, torture and summary executions."

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the United States would not act without a U.N. resolution.

"The international community is debating how best to prevent Gadhafi from overrunning the opposition and killing many more innocent people," she said Thursday during a visit to nearby Tunisia.

Asked whether France will be involved in strikes against Libya if a resolution is passed, Juppe said Thursday at the United Nations that "France is available with others to put the resolution in action, including in this domain."

The draft deplores the use of mercenaries by Libyan authorities, expresses concern about the safety of foreign nationals and demands an immediate cease-fire.

The Arab League's U.N. ambassador, Yahya Mahmassani, said two Arab countries would take part in a no-fly zone operation, but he was not sure which two.

The United States is suggesting that the United Nations should do more than impose a no-fly zone on Libya as Gadhafi's forces fight their way east toward the rebel capital of Benghazi.

Excerpt: Read More at CNN