Libya's Rebel-Held Benghazi Celebrates UN Resolution

The opposition is celebrating right after the UN Security Council approved a no-fly zone over Libya. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Celebrating Libyan rebels in Benghazi have erupted with fireworks and gunfire after the UN Security Council voted late Thursday to impose a no-fly zone and permit "all necessary measures" to protect civilians.

The opposition has suffered military set backs this week as forces supporting Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi regained control over several cities. The rebels said that such international action was necessary for them to have any chance of thwarting Gaddafi's troops, CNN reported.

"We're hoping and praying that the United Nations will come up with a very firm and very fast resolution and they will enforce it immediately," said Ahmed El-Gallal, a senior opposition coordinator, before the vote.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said at the UN meeting that they "should not arrive too late".

The resolution was approved with 10 votes, including those of the Untied States and the United Kingdom.

Even though there were no opposing votes from the 15-member council, China, Russia, Germany, India and Brazil abstained. Germany said it was concerned about a protracted military conflict.

The UN member agreed that they can "take all necessary measures" to protect civilians in the areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahirya, including Benghazi. However, they excluded a foreign occupation force.

Right after the vote, the rebels in Benghazi broke into cheers, waving flags and chanting. Antiaircraft tracer fire lit up the sky at one rally.

It was not immediately clear how an international military operation might unfold. The no-fly zone prohibits Libya's air forces from entering certain zones within the country.

However, US military officials have said that a no-fly zone would not halt the heavy artillery the regime is using on the ground.

Gaddafi's son, Saif-al Islam Gaddafi, told CNN late Thursday that troops will change their tactics and take up positions around Benghazi Saturday or Sunday and assist people fleeing from the city.

He also said there will be no large-scale assault. Instead, police and anti-terrorism untis will be sent into the rebel-held city to disarm the opposition.

In a radio statement, Gaddafi criticized residents of Benghazi and called them "traitors" for seeking help from outsiders.

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