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UN Security Council
Resolution 1973 |
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| Date: | 17 March 2011 |
| Meeting no.: | 6,498 |
| Code: | S/RES/1973 (Document) |
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| Vote: | For: 10 Abs.: 5 Against: 0 |
| Subject: | 2011 Libyan civil war |
| Result: | Adopted |
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| Security Council composition in 2011: | |
| permanent members: | |
| non-permanent members: | |
| BIH BRA COL DEU GAB | |
| IND LBN NGA PRT RSA | |
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States enforcing no-fly zone
Libya
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United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973, on the situation in Libya, is a measure that was adopted on 17 March 2011. The Security Council resolution was proposed by France, Lebanon, and the United Kingdom.[1][2]
Ten Security Council members voted in the affirmative (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Gabon, Lebanon, Nigeria, Portugal, South Africa, and permanent members France, the United Kingdom, and the United States). Five (Brazil, Germany, and India, and permanent members China and Russia) abstained, with none opposed.[3]
The resolution formed the legal basis for military intervention in the Libyan civil war, demanding "an immediate ceasefire" and authorizing the international community to establish a no-fly zone and to use all means necessary short of foreign occupation to protect civilians.[4]
Contents |
The resolution, adopted under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter:
On the face of it, the arms embargo imposed by paragraph 9 of resolution 1970 would prevent arms being supplied to anyone in Libya. However, the resolution qualifies resolution 1970 with the wording "all necessary measures, notwithstanding paragraph 9 of resolution 1970" if the in so doing it would protect civilians. Hillary Clinton has argued that, though arming anti Gaddafi forces was not being proposed at present, it would be legal to do so.[5]
| Approved (10) | Abstained (5) | Opposed (0) |
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* Permanent members of the Security Council are in bold.
Permanent members China and Russia had reservations about the no-fly zone, including the practicalities of enforcing such a zone and concerns about the use of force when other means had not been exhausted, but had noted requests by the Arab League and the "special situation" in Libya and therefore abstained.[6][7] African members of the Security Council condemned the actions of the Libyan regime and supported the text.[8]
The following day, Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Germany would not take part in the military operation, but added: "We unreservedly share the aims of this resolution. Our abstention should not be confused with neutrality."[9]
On 18 March, Muammar Gaddafi's government announced that they would comply with the resolution and implement a ceasefire.[10] However, it quickly became clear that no ceasefire had in fact been implemented.[11]
Libyan opposition forces in Benghazi cheered and fired guns and fireworks into the air as the resolution was adopted.[12] A few hours before issuing the resolution, Gaddafi warned the opposition with a speech saying, "We are coming tonight, and there will be no mercy".[13]
Military intervention in Libya began on 19 March, as fighter jets of the French Air Force destroyed several pro-Gaddafi vehicles advancing on rebel stronghold Benghazi. U.S. and British submarines then fired over 110 Tomahawk cruise missiles at targets throughout Libya, severely disabling the regime's air defense capability and allowing a wider enforcement of the no-fly zone to begin. A coalition of 10 states from Europe and the Middle East initially participated in the intervention, later expanding to 17. On 31 March, NATO assumed command of the operation. The intervention succeeded in preventing pro-Gaddafi forces from capturing Benghazi.[14]
The rebels were largely recognised to have overthrown Gaddafi's government after they captured the Libyan capital Tripoli in late August 2011. They then overran the final pro-Gaddafi stronghold Sirte on 20 October, killing Muammar Gaddafi. Victory was declared on 23 October, and NATO aircraft withdrew from Libya at the end of the month.[15]
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