The U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution by a vote of 10 - 0, calling for an immediate end to the violence against Libyan civilians.
It authorizes all "necessary measures" to be taken to ensure the protection of civilians, including establishing a no-fly zone over strategic areas to prevent Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi from deploying airstrikes.
Other provisions listed in the measure allow “significant action” to be taken to enforce an arms embargo, and freezes Gadhafi 's assets, as well as those of his close supporters and key Libyan companies.
The international community is expected to quickly mobilize to implement the provisions under the measure, which was sponsored by Great Britain, France and Lebanon.
Within the 15 member council Germany, Russia, China, India and Brazil abstained from the vote. The representative from Brazil shared concerns that foreign military intervention would have the “unintended effect of exacerbating tensions on the ground,” while India’s ambassador said action should be held off until reports could accurately convey the situation in Libya.