David Cameron was today chairing an emergency session of Cabinet as British forces prepared to join international military action to protect Libyan civilians from Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s “brutal” crackdown.

The United Nations Security Council voted last night in favour of a wide-ranging resolution authorising the international community to take “all measures necessary” short of putting troops on the ground

France, which has led calls with Britain for a no-fly zone, confirmed that its forces would participate while Mr Cameron is expected to give details of what role the UK will play in a Commons statement at 11am.

US president Barack Obama telephoned Mr Cameron and French president Nicolas Sarkozy last night to discuss the way forward.

A White House statement said they agreed “to co-ordinate closely on next steps, and to continue working with Arab and other international partners to ensure the enforcement of UN Security Council resolutions on Libya”.

Downing Street played down suggestions – raised by France in the run-up to the vote – that action could start within hours and US officials suggested it may take until Sunday to be ready.

The news of the Security Council resolution was greeted with scenes of wild celebration in the rebel stronghold of Benghazi – thought to be the next target of the regime’s counter-offensive.

But Gaddafi’s son Saif reacted with defiance, telling America’s

ABC News: “Our country and our people are not afraid.

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Libya: UK forces prepare after UN no-fly zone vote

Downing Street has cautioned against earlier suggestions that British planes could be in action “within hours” and declined to put a timetable on it.

The UN resolution rules out a foreign occupation force in any part of Libya.

The cabinet met earlier and Prime Minister David Cameron will make a statement to Parliament at 1100 GMT.

MPs will debate the issue later on Friday, following Mr Cameron’s statement, and there is set to be a Commons vote on Monday, government sources have indicated.

Labour have said they back the no-fly zone – meaning the government would be likely to carry the Commons vote.

Libyan reaction

Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi’s forces have recently retaken several towns seized by rebels in an uprising.

Rebel forces in Benghazi reacted with joy to the passing of the resolution but Said Gaddafi, the Libyan leader’s son, said the resolution was “unfair” as the regime had “proved to everybody that there have been no air strikes against civilians”.

In response, Libya has also closed its airspace to all traffic, according to EU air transport authorities.

Loyalist forces are bearing down on Benghazi, home to a million people. Forces loyal to Col Gaddafi have reportedly launched their first air attacks on the town, targeting the airport at Benina. BBC

Libya: is the “no fly zone” a real solution?

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U.N. Clears Way for Attack on Libya

U.S., Europe Ready to Launch Air Strikes Against Gadhafi Forces; Rebels’ Worsening Plight Jolts White House to Act

The United Nations Security Council authorized military force Thursday against Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gadhafi’s security forces, opening the way for European and U.S. airstrikes within days.

The U.N. action, pushed aggressively by France and the U.K., came as Col. Gadhafi’s security forces continued their assault toward Benghazi, the de-facto capital of rebels trying to end his 42-year rule.

European and American officials argued on the Security Council floor that an international campaign to stop Col. Gadhafi’s forces was required immediately to stave off a potential massacre of opposition forces and civilians.

French officials have indicated that military strikes could take place within hours of the resolution’s passage. Others were more cautious about how quickly any attacks would begin.

On Friday, Europe’s air traffic control agency said Libya has closed its airspace to all traffic, the Associated Press reported. In a brief statement to airlines on Friday, Eurocontrol said, “The latest information from Malta indicates that Tripoli [air control center] does not accept traffic.” The agency’s map of air traffic over Europe and the Mediterranean showed that Libyan air space was off limits.

In Benghazi, the rebel administration unleashed fireworks over the harbor seconds after the U.N. vote, and in the eastern port city of Tobruq, tracer bullet volleys lit up the sky as boats in the harbor blew their horns.

Col. Gadhafi, shortly before the vote, said his troops would launch an all-out assault in the coming hours against rebels and members of the opposition in Benghazi even if the whole world opposed him.

wsj.com