London: After the UN backed “all necessary measures”, UK forces are preparing to help enforce a no-fly zone over Libya.
Downing Street has cautioned against earlier suggestions that British planes could be in action “within hours” and declined to put a timetable on it.
The UN resolution rules out a foreign occupation force in any part of Libya.
The cabinet will meet on Friday and Prime Minister David Cameron will make a statement to the Commons, No 10 said.
The resolution imposes a “ban on all flights in Libyan airspace”, except for aid planes.
It authorises member states to “take all necessary measures” to “protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack”, including in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi.
It also calls for an immediate ceasefire, an end to the violence, measures to make it more difficult to bring foreign mercenaries into Libya and a tightening of sanctions.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said it was a “positive response to the call by the Arab League” for measures to protect Libyan civilians and was the culmination of “a great deal of hard work in the last few days” by France, the UK, Lebanon and the US.
“It is necessary to take these measures to avoid greater bloodshed,” Hague said.
“This places a responsibility on members of the United Nations and that is a responsibility to which the United Kingdom will now respond.”
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