Libya_odyssey_dawn
On 17 March 2011, the Security Council voted by ten votes to none to approve a no-fly zone through Resolution 1973. There were five abstentions: Brazil, Russia, India, China and Germany. Coerced by international pressure, Gaddafi declared a cease-fire on March 18, though they continued to bomb and shell the rebels and on March 19 began an attack on Benghazi. Hours after Gaddafi's unilateral cease-fire declaration, the United Nations endorsed multinational military intervention against Gaddafi and launched a series of raids on regime military targets.
A French Rafale fighter jet carrying ordnance makes its approach, in this photo released March 20, 2011 by ECPAD (French Defence communication and audiovisual production agency), during an airborne re-fueling operation March 19, 2011 during the initial French attacks on Libya. On Sunday French warplanes encountered no opposition in enforcing a U.N.-mandated no-fly zone over Libya. Fifteen French combat aircraft took part in allied patrols but they did not have to fire at airborne or ground targets because they met no resistance. Picture taken March 19, 2011 REUTERS/ECPAD/SIRPA AIR/Christophe Patebaire (FRANCE - Tags: POLITICS MILITARY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS. THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. IT IS DISTRIBUTED, EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS