Europe's air traffic control organization today said that Libya has closed its airspace to all traffic. The Eurocontrol said the latest information from Malta indicates that Tripoli does not accept traffic.The UN Security Council late yesterday adopted a resolution authorizing a no-fly zone over Libya and other measures to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack.Meanwhile, Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said that the country would positively react to the UN resolution.In a statement Kaim said Libya would protect civilians across the country and ensure the supply of food and medicines. He said Libya welcomed articles in the resolution on the protection of civilians and Libya's national sovereignty and territorial integrity. France says military action against Libya will come within hours and the country will participate in the move. French government spokesman and Budget minister Francois Baroin today said the military strikes against Moammar Gaddafi will take place quickly. He said France, who led the calls for action, would of course be involved in the military operation. The spokesman said the operation was aimed at protecting Libyan civilians, ruling out any occupation of Libyan territory.The statement came only hours after the UN Security Council adopted a resolution to authorize intervention, including a no-fly zone over the country. The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution to authorize a no-fly zone over Libya and called for all necessary measures, excluding troops on the ground, to protect civilians under threat of attack in the North African country.Meanwhile, Europe's air traffic control organization has said that Libya has closed its airspace to all traffic. The Euro control said the latest information from Malta indicates that Tripoli does not accept traffic.Libyan Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Kaim said that the country would positively react to the UN resolution. In a statement Kaim said Libya would protect civilians across the country and ensure the supply of food and medicines. He said Libya welcomed articles in the resolution on the protection of civilians and Libya's national sovereignty and territorial integrity.The British Prime Minister, David Cameron has said that the British war planes will be deployed within hours to prepare for action over Libya.Cameron told Parliament that Britain will be working urgently with its ally to enforce teeth to the U.N. Security Council resolution authorising action to protect Libyan civilians from Col. Gaddafi's forces.Cameron said, preparations to the aircrafts have already started and in the coming hours they will move to air bases, whether they can start to take necessary action.
News On AIR | March 18, 2011 8:58 PM
Libya announces immediate ceasefire; France, Britain say military action is imminent