Thousands celebrate in Benghazi as UN Security Council approves no-fly zone, airstrikes

2011-03-18 05:52:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- Thousands of anti-government protesters on early Friday morning welcomed the approval of a United Nations Security Council resolution which calls for the establishment of a no-fly zone in Libya and for military forces to take "all necessary measures" to protect Libyan civilians from government-led attacks.

Cheers and celebratory gunshots were overwhelming in the Libyan city of Benghazi as the Council approved the resolution. Thousands of people had gathered in a square to await the vote and many were seen waving the flag of the Libyan opposition.

The UN vote on Libya came after days of discussions on whether to impose the no-fly zone, which will ban all flights in the airspace of the Northern African nation. It will also allow military intervention to enforce the ban, and calls to take "all necessary measures" to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack.

The UN Security Council Resolution was backed by 10 countries, enough to pass, while 5 other countries - including Russia, China and Germany - chose to abstain. None voted against.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-03-18

Long overdue, but better late than never. Let's hear the condemnation and politicing begin.

Raw Video: Benghazi Celebrates UN No-fly Zone