US urges tough United Nations resolution on Libya

The UN Security Council undertook lengthy and difficult negotiations on Wednesday over a resolution aimed at authorising a no-fly zone.

During the meetings, US ambassador Susan Rice said a no-fly zone would only bring limited help, and expressed hope for an early vote on a draft.

Russia expressed also concern at some of the implications of the proposals and put forward a counter-resolution. Russia has strong reservations about military action, as does China, and instead offered a counter resolution calling first for a ceasefire.

The US has previously been cool on the effectiveness of such a zone, but Rice said further measures were now needed.

"The US view is that we need to be prepared to contemplate steps that include, but perhaps go beyond a no-fly zone, at this point, as the situation on the ground has evolved and as a no-fly zone has inherent limitations in terms of protection of civilians at immediate risk."

BBC reports that  the UN says the draft resolution contains controversial language authorising all necessary measures to protect civilians, which some interpret as permitting strikes against government ground forces if civilians are under attack.

This may have been what Russia's ambassador was referring to when he angrily declared that some members had introduced proposals with far-reaching implications.

Supporters of the draft resolution stressed the urgency of action and are pushing for a vote on Thursday (today).

Rice said: "We will continue our negotiations early on Thursday, fully focused on the urgency and the gravity of the situation on the ground and it's my hope that we may be in a position to vote a serious resolution as early as Thursday. We're working very hard toward that end."

In the meantime, Pro-Gaddafi troops have been moving closer to Benghazi in recent days. One of Col Gaddafi's sons, Saif al-Islam, has claimed Benghazi will be recaptured soon even if a no-fly zone is imposed.

"Everything will be over in 48 hours," he told Euronews.

Reports say Gaddafi forces have taken up positions outside Ajdabiya, only 160km (100 miles) from the rebel stronghold.