UN authorises no-fly zone over Libya

The UN Security Council authorised "all necessary measures" to stop Moammar Gaddafi in Libya - including strikes by sea and air - hours after he vowed in harrowing terms to launch a final assault and crush the weeks-old rebellion against him.

The resolution, approved last night with the backing of the United States, France and Britain, imposed a no-fly zone over Libya and authorised force short of a ground offensive to protect its people from Gaddafi's forces.