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Libya declares immediate ceasefire

18 March 2011 14:19 (UTC +04:00)

Mussa Kussa, the Libyan foreign secretary, said his government was interested in protecting all civilians and foreigners in a statement televised on Friday. â€œWe decided on an immediate ceasefire and on an immediate stop to all military operations," he said, adding â€œ[Libya] takes great interest in protecting civilianâ€. Kussa said because his country was a member of the United Nations it is â€œobliged to accept to UN Security Council’s resolutionâ€. The announcement came after Britain said it was about to start sending fighter jets and surveillance aircraft to military bases in the Mediterranean in preparation for a no-fly zone.
David Cameron, the UK prime minister, said Tornado and Typhoon jets would be deployed imminently along with surveillance and re-fuelling planes.
The UN Security Council backed a resolution authorizing a no-fly zone over Libya and "all necessary measures" to protect civilians late on Thursday.
The intervention, which is expected to be enforced by Britain, France, the US, Norway and Qatar, bans military aircraft from flying in Libyan airspace, but not commercial or humanitarian flights. Eurocontrol, Europe’s air traffic agency, said earlier the Libyan government had closed its airspace to all traffic in response to the UN resolution. Libya’s latest announcement was in contrast to comments made earlier on Friday by Muammar Gaddafi, the country’s leader, who said he would to â€œturn into hell the liveâ€ of anyone who attacks his country.