UN ends military mandate in Libya

The UN Security Council last night cancelled its authorisation for a seven-month-old Nato military operation in Libya that led to the ouster and death of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

The termination of the mandate came despite a request from Libya’s interim government for the Security Council to wait until the National Transitional Council made a decision on whether it wants NATO to help it secure its borders.

The 15-nation council unanimously approved a resolution terminating the UN mandate, which set the no-fly zone over Libya and permitted foreign military forces, including Nato, to use “all necessary measures” to protect Libyan civilians.