(New York Times) Dan Bilefsky and Mark Landler - The UN Security Council voted Thursday to authorize military action, including airstrikes against Libyan tanks and heavy artillery and a no-fly zone, aimed at averting a bloody rout of rebel forces as Gaddafi's troops advanced to within 100 miles of the rebel capital of Benghazi. The resolution passed with 10 votes, including the U.S., and abstentions from Russia, China, Germany, Brazil and India. Officials in Britain, France and the U.S. were all adamant that Arab League forces take part in the military actions and help pay for the operations, and that it not be led by NATO, to avoid the appearance that the West was attacking another Muslim country.
2011-03-18 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive