Libyan no-fly zone

The UN will use "all necessary measures" to protect civilians in Libya, short of invasion, after a security council resolution was passed last night.

The security council voted 10-0 in favour of a resolution drafted by Britain, France and Lebanon that imposes a no-fly zone over Libya and calls for an immediate ceasefire and end to the violence.

Prime minister David Cameron and foreign secretary William Hague have been calling for a no-fly zone since Colonel Muammar Gaddafi began using military planes to crush an uprising inspired by the revolutions in Egypt and Tunisia.

The United States supported the motion after the Arab League declared its support for a no-fly zone, while both Russia and China abstained.

Libyan forces loyal to Col Gaddafi have taken back much of the country over recent days and the resolution comes shortly before a likely attempt to take back Benghazi, the rebel city in the east of the country.