CAIRO: Egypt suspended all flights to Libya in compliance with a UN Security Council resolution that imposed a no-fly zone over the restive country, an aviation official said on Friday.
"After the Security Council issued the resolution, flights between Libya and Egypt were cancelled," said Sameh Al-Hifni, head of Egypt’s Civil Aviation Authority.
He added that alternative routes were set for flights that used Libyan airspace.
Meeting on Thursday, the UN Security Council voted to permit "all necessary measures" to establish a no-fly zone, protect civilian areas and impose a ceasefire on Qaddafi’s military.
Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa said in Tripoli on Friday that Libya would halt all military operations immediately in compliance with the resolution.
Five countries on the 15-strong council abstained, including permanent members China and Russia, which did not use their veto power. India and Brazil also abstained, in addition to Germany.
Resolution 1973 outlines the "responsibility of the Libyan authorities to protect the Libyan population" and stresses the regime bears the responsibility to "take all feasible steps to ensure the protection of civilians."
