Libya announces ceasefire, but rebels call it a 'bluff' as Misurata bombings continue

Libya’s foreign minister announced an immediate ceasefire during a press conference on Friday afternoon. The announcement comes in response to a United Nations Security Council resolution late Thursday night to impose a no-fly zone in Libya, authorizing “all necessary measures” to stop the ongoing violence in Libya.

The foreign minister said Libya is acting to protect civilians in acordance with the UN Security Council resolution.

“We emphasize our request for all international governments and NGOs to check the facts on the ground by sending fact-finding missions to Libya so they can take the right positions based on the facts,” concluded the foreign minister in his address.

The UN resolution imposes a no-fly zone over Libya and authorizes force, short of a ground offensive, to protect the Libyan people from Gaddafi’s forces. While in Tunisia, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said a no-fly zone would include “bombing targets like the Libyan defense systems.”

The decision was made hours after Gaddafi vowed in “harrowing terms” to launch a final assault and “crush the weeks-old rebellion against him,” reported the Associated Press. Gaddafi’s forces have continually used extreme violence against demonstrators since an uprising began in February to topple his rule, following successful uprisings in Tunisis and Egypt.

The UN resolution was approved by 10 of the 15-member assembly, with 5 abstentions. It was backed by the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. China and Russia were among those who abstained.

In related news, four New York Times journalists held by pro-Gaddafi forces since Tuesday will be released Friday, Gaddafi’s son told ABC’s Christine Amanpour.