Libya closes airspace

Libya has closed its airspace to all traffic, reports say.

The move comes after the UN Security Council authorised a no-fly zone over Libya and “all necessary measures” to stop Muammar Gaddafi from launching attacks on his own people.

The United States, France and Britain are now discussing how to enforce the no-fly zone.

In a brief statement to airlines, Europe’s air traffic control agency Eurocontrol said: “The latest information from Malta indicates that Tripoli (air control centre) does not accept traffic.”

The agency’s map of air traffic over Europe and the Mediterranean showed that Libyan air space was off limits.