Security Council members vote on a Libyan resolution during a Security Council Meeting at UN headquarters in New York March 17, 2011.[Photo/Agencies]

UNITED NATIONS – The UN Security Council voted Thursday to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, authorizing “all necessary measures” to protect civilians from attacks.

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The resolution also calls for an immediate cease-fire and an end to all violence. The voting results were 10 in favor with no opposition. Five countries (China, Brazil, India, Russia, and Germany) abstained from the vote.

Earlier in the day, ambassadors met in a closed meeting to go over the draft resolution drafted by Lebanon, France and the United Kingdom that aims to establish the no-fly zone backed by the Arab League.

French Foreign Minister Alain Juppé was at the council for the vote Thursday. Earlier Gerard Araud, the French Ambassador to the UN, told reporters that Juppé’s presence showed the importance Paris attached on this resolution.