Resolution PASSED, Gadhafi ignores

Continuation from earlier today

……Now 7:30

The UN finally passes the resolution (1 Hour ago):

UPDATE: The vote passes! 10 yes, 5 abstain, 0 vote no.

Time to get the jets in the air.

AMAZING images on Al Jazeera showing celebration in the streets of Benghazi. Get ready for a huge battle.

Original post: The UN Security Council is preparing to vote on the Libya no-fly zone.

First come statements from various countries.

The French representative is speaking first, talking about a “new Arab spring.”

You can watch the UN’s live feed below.

We explained the process earlier in the day. 9 votes are needed to pass the draft resolution. In addition to the no-fly, the resolution will apparently call for a big asset freeze.

It’s likely to pass. Word is that Russia, Germany, Brazil, China, and India will abstain, rather than vote no. If there had been any doubt about the vote, Qaddafi’s fate was probably sealed when he threatened to massacre citizens of Benghazi quite explicitly……UN Updates

Here’s the PDF of resolution. 

Russia, China, Germany and Brazil took a back seat. Gadhafi is ignoring and because it has taken 3 weeks to pass this. The British and the French will be in the air in a couple of hour. Egypt is providing the the freedom fighters with over-land help (Weapons).  The United States will only provide strategic help at the start but eventually will enter afterwords.

The TV networks are behind in real-time coverage, the internet is the best way to update:

By Robert Winnett,, Deputy Political Editor, Jon Swaine in New York and Richard Spencer in Tripoli 11:26PM GMT 17 Mar 2011

The first raids, possibly conducted by unmanned drones, could happen within hours if Colonel Gaddafi acts on his threat to “show no mercy” to rebels in Benghazi.

The RAF could become involved in any operation by this evening, according to British sources. However, the raids may be spearheaded by an Arab nation such as Qatar or the UAE.

Last night, Col Gaddafi threatened to launch retaliation attacks against passenger aircraft in the Mediterranean if foreign countries launch air strikes against Libya.

The Libyan regime said that “any foreign military act” would expose “all air and maritime traffic in the Mediterranean Sea” as targets for a counter attack.

And…

REUTERS – Libyan troops pushed forward towards the insurgent stronghold of Benghazi on Thursday and launched air raids on its outskirts as momentum gathered in support of air raids to stop Muammar Gaddafi’s forces.

The United States hoped the U.N. Security Council would pass a resolution later on Thursday that included, but was not limited to, the possibility of imposing a no-fly zone over Libya, raising the prospect of bombing raids.

France believes there is enough support to pass the resolution and military intervention could take place within hours of that, a senior French diplomatic source said.

Any action could include France, Britain, possibly the United States and one or more Arab states, the source said.

The push towards action at the Security Council comes as pro-Gaddafi forces have made rapid advances in their counter-attack against the rebels.

U.S. Undersecretary of State William Burns said Gaddafi’s forces had made “significant strides on the ground” and were now about 160 km (100 miles) from Benghazi.

The Libyan army, which has been attacking rebel-held cities in the east and west of the country, said it would halt its operations on Sunday to give the rebels a chance to surrender, Al Arabiya television reported.

Libyan state television said government troops had taken Zueitina, an oil port on the coastal highway 130 km (80 miles) from Benghazi, but the rebels said they had surrounded the pro-Gaddafi units on the approaches to the town.

In Benghazi, the city where the revolution began, residents and a rebel spokesman reported three air strikes on the outskirts, including at the airport, and another air raid further south.

Residential areas of Ajdabiyah, a strategic town on the coast road to Benghazi, was the scene of heavy fighting on Thursday and around 30 people were killed, Al Arabiya reported.

On the approaches to Ajdabiyah, burned-out cars lay by the roadside while Libyan government forces showed the foreign media artillery, tanks and mobile rocket launchers — much heavier weapons than those used by the rebels.

In Libya’s third city, Misrata, about 200 km (130 miles) east of Tripoli, rebels and residents said they were preparing for a new attack by Libyan troops, who had shelled the coastal city overnight. A government spokesman said Gaddafi’s forces expected to be in control of Misrata by Friday morning.

The United States, previously cool on the idea of a foreign military intervention, said the U.N. Security Council should consider tougher action than a no-fly zone over Libya.

Discussions are under way on the possible direct involvement of Arab nations in any international military action against Gaddafi, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.

U.S. officials said on Thursday that Washington wanted the United Nations to authorize not just a no-fly zone to aid Libyan rebels but also air strikes against Libyan tanks and heavy artillery.

Referring to the U.N. resolution on Libya that Washington hopes will be passed later on Thursday, Clinton said:

“It is important to recognize that military experts across the world know that a no-fly zone requires certain actions taken to protect the planes and the pilots, including bombing targets like the Libyan defence system.”

Britain said the latest draft resolution on Libya under discussion at the United Nations called for “all necessary measures short of an occupation force” to protect civilians under threat of attack.

Russia, China, Germany, India and other council members are either undecided or have voiced doubts about the proposal for a no-fly zone. Italy, a potential base for military action, ruled out military intervention in the oil-exporting country.

Army advances

Gaddafi, in an interview with the French daily Le Figaro, said his troops’ aim was to liberate the people from “the armed gangs” that occupy Benghazi.

“If we used force, it would take just a day. But our aim is to progressively dismantle the armed groups, through various means, such as encircling cities or sending negotiators.”

Asked if dialogue with the rebels was possible, he repeated his assertion that they were linked to the al Qaeda Islamic militant group.

“These are not people with whom we aim to talk, as al Qaeda does not talk with anybody.”

On the fate of the rebel leadership, he said: “It is quite possible they will flee. Anyway, it’s not really a structure. It has no value.”

I will be back in a few hours as I gather more information………