After weeks of speculation last night the UN Security council voted on a resolution to impose a 'No fly zone' over the war torn country of Libya. The vote passed with 10 aye votes 0 nay votes and 5 absentation votes. The resolution demanded an immediate cease fire, and the establishment of a No fly zone over the country. It also states that members should employ "all necessary means" to protect civilians, but stopped short of allowing ground forces to occupy the country.

Shortly after (around 1AM UK time) the Libyan foreign minister announced that the government would honour the resolution and declared a cease fire. However reports from Libya indicate that the ground offensive hasn't let up, leading Libya's deputy foreign minister Khaled Kaim to say "there has been no bombardent of any kind since the ceasefire was declared" this does appear to be at odds with what has been recorded.

The next step is to establish the No-fly zone, figure out who will do what and more importantly, to find a way to protect the "rebel" forces from being bombed. Prime Minister Cameron has announced that Typhoon fighters, Tornado ground attack planes, Nimrod surveilance aircraft and the Sentinel intelligence aircraft are to be deployed as part of the UK contribution. Canada has pledged to send a group of CF-18's (Canadian version of the US Navy's F-18) which can perform both anti air and ground attack missions. Belgium has pledged F-16 fighters and a naval ship and the US has an aircraft carrier in the region. 

While the Libyan government are trying desperately to avoid UN intervention, it's leader Colonel Gadaffi launched a tirade promising to retaliate against anynation who is involved, which in part is the reason why Belgium is to dispatch a frigate to the area. Other unconfirmed rumours state that the Navy will dispatch anti air destroyers to the area.

The next few days are going to be critical for the future of Libya, with Gadaffi's forces on the doorstep any hesitation could prove to be diastrous. Should this campaign start after Gadaffi's assault then the reputation of the UN will be destroyed. But we must not rush into this situation, too much is at stake for us to "John Wayne" into this mess.