Gaddafi challenges UN mandated no-fly zone and shells Misurata from the air. EU-Arab League, AU meeting tomorrow

France has said that air strikes against the Gaddafi forces are "imminent and expected within the coming hours."

In another development, the French government has announced that it will host tomorrow an emergency EU, Arab League and Africa Union summit in Paris to discuss the UN resolution imposing a no-fly zone on Libya.

The United Nations Security Council approved the resolution authorising a no-fly zone over Libya and "all necessary measures" to enforce it in order to protect civilians under threat of attack from Colonel Gaddafi's regime.

As Muammar Gaddafi threatened an imminent assault on the rebel stronghold of Benghazi and said his forces would show "no mercy", the UN gave the green light to an international military response.

The resolution was backed by 10 Security Council members, with five abstentions.

British ambassador to the UN, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, said the resolution ruled out a foreign occupation force in any part of Libya.

The UK and its partners are "ready to shoulder our responsibility" in enforcing the resolution, he said.

Russia and China - which often oppose the use of force against a sovereign country as they believe it sets a dangerous precedent - abstained rather than using their power of veto as permanent members. Germany also abstained. 

The measure allows not only a no-fly zone but effectively any measures - short of a ground invasion-  to halt attacks that might result in civilian fatalities. It comes as Gaddafi warned residents of Benghazi, that an attack was imminent and promised lenient treatment for those who offered no resistance.

“We are coming tonight,” Colonel Qaddafi said. “You will come out from inside. Prepare yourselves from tonight. We will find you in your closets.”

Speaking on a  radio programme, he promised amnesty for those “who throw their weapons away” but “no mercy or compassion” for those who fight. Explosions were heard in Benghazi early Friday, unnerving residents there,  Agence-France Presse reported.  

In a statement  earlier yesterday on Libyan State TV just before the UN security Council convened to vote on imposing a no-fly zone over Libya, Tripoli’s defence ministry said that any  foreign military action to aid rebels “would result in both short and long terms risks to the region.”

"Any foreign military act against Libya will expose all air and maritime traffic in the Mediterranean Sea to danger and civilian and military (facilities) will become targets of Libya's counter-attack," said the statement broadcast on Libyan television and distributed by the official news agency JANA.

"The Mediterranean basin will face danger not just in the short-term, but also in the long-term," it said.

No-fly zone: What does it mean?

The United Nations Security Council has authorised a no-fly zone over Libya to stop Colonel Gaddafi's assault on civilians - we answer some questions on what the ban means.

Q. When would the no-fly zone enforcement start?

A. It is unclear how long it would take to arrange the military operations needed to enforce the no-fly zone.

However, diplomatic sources in France, which favours more aggressive action against Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, say military action could start today.

AUS military official said no immediate US action was expected following the vote.

The British Ministry of Defence said there are outstanding issues to be resolved and contingency plans were not yet finished.

Q.What forces would be involved?

A.Western countries have significant military assets nearby, including carriers in the Mediterranean, a large US air base in Italy and a large British air presence on the island of Cyprus.

Gulf or Arab League countries have warships and fighter aircraft but have shown little inclination of deploying these outside their region and some are distracted by Bahrain's crisis.

If the US chooses not to get involved, Britain and France possibly have the military capabilites to mount a limited no-fly zone or maritime exclusion zone.

Canada has already said it will send warplanes to assist in the enforcement of the resolution.

In addition, allied Arab countries such as Jordan and Oman have planes and pilots often trained by the US, and American officials have made clear they want active involvement by Arab countries if any action is taken.

Q. Will the no-fly zone stop Col Gaddafi?

A. The dictator's troops have been relying on tanks and other ground forces during assaults on the rebels.

This means Nato planes flying over Libya may not be able to protect civilians on the ground.

Libya has a land area some 35 times the size of Bosnia where a no-fly zone was previously implemented in the 1990s.

Officials might choose to set up a more limited area around the Libyan rebel stronghold of Benghazi, using a smaller number of combat and support aircraft.

The UN resolution specifically bans a ground offensive against Libya.

Q. What military equipment does Col Gaddafi have access to?

US National Intelligence Director James Clapper said Col Gaddafi has around 80 operational aircraft, a mix of helicopters, transport aircraft and fighter jets.

But he said Libyan aircraft is far less sophisticated than the planes and helicopters flown by its US counterparts.

Col Gaddafi's forces have been using tanks and anti-aircraft weapons against rebels during the uprising.

Q.What else does the UN resolution include?

A.It authorises UN member states "to take all necessary measures [notwithstanding the previous arms embargo] to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack, including Benghazi.

But it excludes a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory.

It "demands the immediate establishment of a cease-fire and a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians" and "that the Libyan authorities comply with their obligations under international law".

It calls on the cooperation of Arab League member states, who also backed a no-fly zone, to intercept boats and aircraft believed to be taking arms and other items banned under the previously passed UN embargo.

This also includes "armed mercenary personnel".