Arab League backs Libya no-fly zone

A special meeting in Cairo voted to ask the UN Security Council to impose the policy until the current crisis ended. The UK and France have vociferously supported the idea, but have failed so far to win firm backing from the EU or NATO.

On Friday, EU leaders stopped short of supporting the British and French initiative, saying instead that they would "examine all necessary options" to protect civilians.

Meanwhile, rebel forces have suffered fresh setbacks including the loss of the key oil port of Ras Lanuf. Reports however also suggest that the rebel front line had been pushed back even further back, towards the town of Ujala.

NATO has previously cited regional support for the idea as a key condition before it could possibly go ahead.

The US welcomed the Arab League's call, saying it strengthened the international pressure on Col Gaddafi and support for the Libyan people.

Russia, which wields a veto on the UN Security Council, has expressed serious reservations on the issue.

The policy would be aimed at preventing Libyan warplanes from attacking rebel positions, although no clear position has emerged on exactly how this would be achieved.

On the ground in Libya, rebels have continued to lose ground to the superior firepower of Col Gaddafi's forces.