UNSC passes a resolution approving a ‘No Fly Zone’ over Libya

UN Security Council today passed a resolution approving a no-fly zone over Libya and authorising all necessary measures to protect the civilians in the strife-torn African country. Ten of the 15-member body voted in favour of the resolution which also calls for an immediate ceasefire in Libya. Five nations, China and Russia which have veto power and non-permanent members India, Germany and Brazil abstained from voting. India said, this resolution calls for far-reaching measures but answers to very basic questions are not received. This entire exercise has been based on less than complete information.The sanctions included an arms embargo, an asset freeze and travel ban on Gaddafi and his loyalists, and a referral to the Hague-based International Criminal Court. The UN action came as the Libyan leader threatened to launch the final attack to push out rebels from Benghazi, the second largest city of the country. Soon after the passage of resolution, US President Barack Obama called up his French counterpart Nocolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron to discuss on the enforcement of the UNSC resolution in Muammar Gaddafi-ruled Libya. The White House said in a statement that the leaders agreed that Libya must immediately comply with all terms of the resolution and that violence against the civilian population of Libya must cease. They also agreed to coordinate closely on next steps and to continue working with Arab and other international partners to ensure the enforcement of UN Security Council resolutions on Libya. European Union asked Gaddafi to relinquish power immediately and rapidly embark on an orderly transition to democracy through broad-based dialogue