U.N.: "Any Means Necessary" on Libya
At 6 PM, the United Nations will vote on a resolution to take "any means necessary" (i.e. military action) against the Qaddafi government, as its forces close in on the rebel stronghold of Benghazi. In a speech broadcast on Libyan radio, Qaddafi promised that the "drug addicts" controlling Benghazi will be eliminated tonight and they won't be shown "any mercy." An Al Jazeera live shot from Benghazi shows the streets packed with anti-Qaddafi demonstrators, which can be seen here.
The Guardian says military action is imminent, likely to start just hours after the resolution passes:
A source at UN headquarters in New York said military forces could be deployed "within hours" of a new security council resolution calling for states to protect civilians by halting attacks by Muammar Gaddafi's forces by air, land and sea.
The resolution would impose a no-fly zone over Libya – but a no-fly zone was no longer enough, the source said. "The resolution authorises air strikes against tank columns advancing on Benghazi or engaging naval ships bombarding Benghazi," he said.
