UN approves no-fly zone over Libya

The resolution was co-sponsored by France, Britain, Lebanon and United States. This resolution should send a strong message to Colonel Gaddafi and his regime that the violence must stop, the killing must stop and the people of Libya must be protected and have the opportunity to express themselves freely. The first operative paragraph of the resolution calls for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the violence. The second operative paragraph demands respect for the rights of the Libyan people.Germany, India, Brazil, Russia and China abstained from the vote on grounds that the rules of the no-fly zone were not properly explained.On the other hand, in the Libyan capitol Tripoli, where Gaddafi still maintains control, a foreign ministry official spoke to a group of government supporters, and thanked the countries who abstained from the vote.Britains ambassador to the UN Mark Lyall Grant said the resolution had a clear message to prevent further bloodshed in Libya and to protect the people of Libya from Gaddafis regime. The adoption of the resolution after days of closed-door negotiations could lead to a dramatic escalation of international involvement in the conflict that erupted last month between Gaddafi loyalists and rebels trying to topple him.