UN [Security council] "authorises" no-fly zone over Libya - Video
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has voted on a resolution authorising a no-fly zone over Libya and "all necessary measures" - code for military action - to protect civilians. Ten of the council's 15 members voted in favour of the resolution on Thursday, while Russia, China, Germany, India and Brazil abstained.
Despite choosing not to use its veto to block the resolution, China on Friday expressed serious concerns about imposing the no-fly zone. "We oppose the use of military force in international relations, and have serious reservations about some of the content of the resolution," Jiang Yu, a foreign ministry spokeswoman, said in a statement. But no votes were recorded against the resolution, which was co-sponsored by France, Britain, Lebanon and the United States. Under the no-fly zone, only military aircraft are forbidden to fly in Libyan airspace. It exempts commercial and humanitarian flights. In Benghazi, the main opposition stronghold, a large crowd watching the vote on an outdoor TV projection burst into celebration and green and red fireworks filled the air.
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