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| UN Security Council votes to end Libya operations | UN Security Council votes to end Libya operations |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The United Nations Security Council has voted to end international military operations in Libya next Monday. | The United Nations Security Council has voted to end international military operations in Libya next Monday. |
| In March the council voted to authorise "all necessary measures" to protect civilians, after then-leader Muammar Gaddafi launched a deadly assault on protesters against his rule. | In March the council voted to authorise "all necessary measures" to protect civilians, after then-leader Muammar Gaddafi launched a deadly assault on protesters against his rule. |
| Last week Nato and its partners, which had been conducting air strikes, said the campaign would end on 31 October. | Last week Nato and its partners, which had been conducting air strikes, said the campaign would end on 31 October. |
| Libya's new government declared the country liberated on Sunday. | Libya's new government declared the country liberated on Sunday. |
| On Thursday the council unanimously approved a resolution ending the mandate for foreign military action at 23:59 Libyan time on 31 October. | On Thursday the council unanimously approved a resolution ending the mandate for foreign military action at 23:59 Libyan time on 31 October. |
| UK Foreign Minister William Hague said the vote was a "milestone towards a peaceful, democratic future for Libya". | UK Foreign Minister William Hague said the vote was a "milestone towards a peaceful, democratic future for Libya". |
| 'Mission accomplished' | |
| The resolution came despite a call by Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) for Nato to continue its military action. | |
| The Libyan envoy to the UN had said the NTC needed more time to assess its security needs. | |
| But Security Council diplomats told reporters that the mandate to protect civilians had been accomplished, and any further security assistance would have to be negotiated separately. | |
| During its seven-month Libyan campaign, the alliance has carried out some 26,000 sorties and almost 10,000 strike missions. | During its seven-month Libyan campaign, the alliance has carried out some 26,000 sorties and almost 10,000 strike missions. |
| Correspondents say the operations have played a crucial role in helping remove Col Muammar Gaddafi, who was toppled in August and killed last week. | Correspondents say the operations have played a crucial role in helping remove Col Muammar Gaddafi, who was toppled in August and killed last week. |
| Russia, China, South Africa, India and Brazil had strongly opposed the strikes, accusing Nato of going beyond the UN mandate. | |
| But on Thursday the US envoy to the UN, Susan Rice, said history would regard the intervention as "a proud chapter in the Security Council's experience". |