United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, on the situation in Libya, is a measure that was adopted on 17 March 2011. The Security Council resolution was proposed by France, Lebanon, and the United Kingdom.
Ten Security Council members voted in the affirmative (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Gabon, Lebanon, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, and permanent members France, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Five (Brazil, Germany, and India, and permanent members China and Russia) abstained, with none opposed.
The resolution demands "an immediate ceasefire" and authorizes the international community to establish a no-fly zone over Libya and to use all means necessary short of foreign occupation to protect civilians.Key points
The resolution, adopted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter:
- demands the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians;
- imposes a no-fly zone over Libya;
- authorises all necessary means to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas, except for a "foreign occupation force";
- strengthens the arms embargo and particularly action against mercenaries, by allowing for forcible inspections of ships and planes;
- imposes a ban on all Libyan-designated flights;
- imposes an asset freeze on assets owned by the Libyan authorities, and reaffirms that such assets should be used for the benefit of the Libyan people;
- extends the travel ban and assets freeze of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1970 to a number of additional individuals and Libyan entities;
- establishes a panel of experts to monitor and promote sanctions implementation.
UN Resolution 1973 Voting
| Approved (10) | Abstained (5) | Opposed (0) |
|---|---|---|
|
|
* Permanent members of the Security Council are in bold.
Permanent members China and Russia had reservations about the no-fly zone, including the practicalities of enforcing such a zone and concerns about the use of force when other means had not been exhausted, but had noted requests by the Arab League and the "special situation" in Libya and therefore abstained. African members of the Security Council condemned the actions of the Libyan regime and supported the text.
The following day, Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Germany would not take part in the military operation, but added: "We unreservedly share the aims of this resolution. Our abstention should not be confused with neutrality."
Libyan response
Muammar Gaddafi's government announced at approximately 12:45 GMT on 18 March 2011 that they were initiating an immediate cessation of military activities in response to the UN resolution. However, a resident of Misurata told Al Jazeera that "government forces continue to shell the city, despite the announcement of the ceasefire".
Implementation
On 19 March, military intervention began as French fighter jets flew reconnaissance flights over Libya. United States Navy ships were said to be preparing for bombardment of Libyan air defenses. BBC News reported at 16:53 GMT 19 March 2011 that at 16:45 GMT French military forces had fired at a Libyan military vehicle. The U.S. military has designated its military operations Operation Odyssey Dawn, and began by firing Tomahawk cruise missiles from U.S. Navy submarines at Libyan air defenses
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