The Sun UK
written by Tom Newton Dunn, Political Editor
Friday March 18, 2011
CRAZED Libyan leader Colonel Gaddafi was facing the wrath of the world last night.
The United Nations Security Council approved a no-fly zone over his country and threatened air strikes on his troops.
American and European officials said attacks could take place within HOURS.
The dramatic UN move, which defied expectations, is to protect cornered rebel fighters and civilians. In the US, the Pentagon was preparing for "serious" attacks. Officials said options included using cruise missiles to take out fixed Libyan military sites and air defence systems.
A US official said it would be "more aggressive than a show of force". Another said: "The US doesn't want a war. But we want to prevent a slaughter."
The UN verdict against "Mad Dog" Muammar Gaddafi was a major diplomatic coup for PM David Cameron, who was the first world leader to call for the air mission two weeks ago.
In eastern Libya, after satellite TV channels reported the approval of the UN resolution rebel supporters chanted "God is Great" and "The People Want the Downfall of the Regime."
In Benghazi thousands of people rushed on to the streets waving flags, firing shots into the air and letting off fireworks.
Crowds shouted: "Muammar, you are surrounded. No ships and no planes will help you."
In Tobruk the news was welcomed with vuvuzela trumpets.
RAF fighter pilots could go into action as early as today if Gaddafi rejects an immediate ceasefire.
The resolution condemns Gaddafi's "gross and systematic violation of human rights" which "may amount to crimes against humanity" and pose a "threat to international peace and security".
It calls for "a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians". It authorises UN member states "to take all necessary measures to protect civilians".
But it specifically excludes "a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory".
In an interview broadcast just before the UN vote, Gaddafi said it had "no mandate".
He added: "We don't acknowledge their resolutions." And he vowed to hit back against UN attacks, insisting: "If the world is crazy, we will be crazy too."
However, late last night the Libyan regime gave the impression that it WOULD agree - subject to a deal on "technicalities". Resolution 1973, demanding a ceasefire and authorising the no-fly zone and "all necessary measures" to enforce it, was passed by ten votes to nil.
Britain, America France, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Gabon, Lebanon, Nigeria, Portugal and South Africa all backed the move. Russia, China, Germany, Italy and India abstained.
The resolution was formally adopted at the UN headquarters in New York. Britain's ambassador to the UN, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, said the UK was "ready to shoulder our responsibilities" to enforce it. He said: "A violent, discredited regime which has lost all legitimacy is using weapons of war against civilians. My Government welcomes the fact that the Security Council has acted swiftly in response to the appalling situation in Libya."
There had been a desperate race against time to approve the resolution as Gaddafi's forces began bombing the outskirts of Benghazi yesterday - the rebels' last bastion.
In a chilling radio address to its people, the dictator warned: "We are coming tonight. There won't be any mercy." Using the word "zenga", meaning neighbourhood, Gaddafi had said his men would hunt opponents down right into their homes.
He said: "We will come zenga by zenga, house by house, room by room. We will find you in your closets." The UN was determined to prevent Gaddafi crushing the last of the rebellion and taking Benghazi.
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