As the United Nations Security Council voted to authorize the use of force in Libya on Thursday, including imposing a no-fly zone, anti-Gadhafi protesters in Benghazi cheered and celebrated the news with fireworks.
The last few days have been rough for the rebels, with Col. Gadhafi pushing his army mercilessly forward in an attempt to regain the city of Benghazi, the opposition’s stronghold.
In Benghazi and the vestiges of other rebel-controlled cities, anti-Gadhafi forces, many of them young Libyans, have been trying to hold their ground with aging weapons and dwindling hope—awaiting international aid.
Without foreign intervention, it is likely that Gadhafi’s regime would soon crush the opposition, while laying waste to the surrounding cities. Depending on how quickly the no-fly zone becomes effective, it could still make a difference in Gadhafi’s advance since he has been using air attacks as an important strategic advantage over the ground-bound rebels.
Meanwhile, an estimated 290,000 people are carrying their belongings in a mass exodus from the country.
The stated purpose of the United Nations Security Council resolution is to protect the lives of civilians. Specifically, the resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire in attacks against civilians. If Gadhafi ignores the call, then further force is authorized.
The resolution was passed at the U.N. headquarters in New York by a vote of 10 in favor, with 5 abstentions, and no votes against.
The five abstentions were by permanent members of the Security Council Russia and China, in addition to nonpermanent members Germany, India, and Brazil. The resolution required nine votes in favor to pass, and could have been vetoed by any of the five Security Council permanent members, which also include the United States, U.K., and France.
The resolution also includes provisions to strengthen the enforcement of the arms embargo against Libya already authorized by the security council, including imposing sanctions on those that supply Gadhafi with mercenaries. It also freezes the assets of more members of the Libyan regime and bans all international flights in and out of Libya, especially those that might be carrying mercenaries.
“The future of Libya should be decided by the people of Libya,” Susan E. Rice, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. said after the vote. She added that the United States stands with the people of Libya in support of their universal rights.
She also emphasized, that the resolution was asked for by the Arab League of Nations on March 12, and, “Today’s resolution is a powerful response to that call and to the urgent needs on the ground.”
The vote came as Gadhafi continued bombardments throughout the day on the city of Benghazi, Libya’s second biggest city.
A special U.N. envoy was already sent to Libya to try to explain to senior officials the international call for a ceasefire.
The speed of implementing the resolution is likely to prove crucial. The U.K., one of the key sponsors of the resolution along with France, says they have a plan already in place to enforce the no-fly zone.
“The prime minister has called a meeting of the Cabinet tomorrow morning [Friday] and will also make a statement to the House of Commons on Libya,” a spokeswoman for British Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters.
The last few days have been rough for the rebels, with Col. Gadhafi pushing his army mercilessly forward in an attempt to regain the city of Benghazi, the opposition’s stronghold.
In Benghazi and the vestiges of other rebel-controlled cities, anti-Gadhafi forces, many of them young Libyans, have been trying to hold their ground with aging weapons and dwindling hope—awaiting international aid.
Without foreign intervention, it is likely that Gadhafi’s regime would soon crush the opposition, while laying waste to the surrounding cities. Depending on how quickly the no-fly zone becomes effective, it could still make a difference in Gadhafi’s advance since he has been using air attacks as an important strategic advantage over the ground-bound rebels.
Meanwhile, an estimated 290,000 people are carrying their belongings in a mass exodus from the country.
The stated purpose of the United Nations Security Council resolution is to protect the lives of civilians. Specifically, the resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire in attacks against civilians. If Gadhafi ignores the call, then further force is authorized.
The resolution was passed at the U.N. headquarters in New York by a vote of 10 in favor, with 5 abstentions, and no votes against.
The five abstentions were by permanent members of the Security Council Russia and China, in addition to nonpermanent members Germany, India, and Brazil. The resolution required nine votes in favor to pass, and could have been vetoed by any of the five Security Council permanent members, which also include the United States, U.K., and France.
The resolution also includes provisions to strengthen the enforcement of the arms embargo against Libya already authorized by the security council, including imposing sanctions on those that supply Gadhafi with mercenaries. It also freezes the assets of more members of the Libyan regime and bans all international flights in and out of Libya, especially those that might be carrying mercenaries.
“The future of Libya should be decided by the people of Libya,” Susan E. Rice, U.S. ambassador to the U.N. said after the vote. She added that the United States stands with the people of Libya in support of their universal rights.
She also emphasized, that the resolution was asked for by the Arab League of Nations on March 12, and, “Today’s resolution is a powerful response to that call and to the urgent needs on the ground.”
The vote came as Gadhafi continued bombardments throughout the day on the city of Benghazi, Libya’s second biggest city.
A special U.N. envoy was already sent to Libya to try to explain to senior officials the international call for a ceasefire.
The speed of implementing the resolution is likely to prove crucial. The U.K., one of the key sponsors of the resolution along with France, says they have a plan already in place to enforce the no-fly zone.
“The prime minister has called a meeting of the Cabinet tomorrow morning [Friday] and will also make a statement to the House of Commons on Libya,” a spokeswoman for British Prime Minister David Cameron told reporters.
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