The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on Thursday to terminate the no-fly zone in Libya, which led NATO to use its jetfighters to bomb forces loyal to Muammar Qadhafi into submission.
Qadhafi was captured and killed by rebel troops in Sirte last week. The National Transitional Council then declared Libya liberated from 42 years of dictatorship.
The no-fly zone will end at 11:59 p.m. Libyan time on October 31.
The council adopted a resolution that also terminated a measure that allowed States to freeze assets that belonged to Qadhafi and his family members, the Libyan National Oil Corporation and the Zueitina Oil Company.
The council said it will also modify a provision on an arms embargo imposed on Libya after the Qadhafi regime launched a military crackdown against pro-democracy protesters at the early stage of the popular protests in February.
The head of the ruling council, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, had asked NATO to consider extending its mission, at least until the end of the year, to help secure the country’s borders and combat illegal migration.
The French government said in a statement in Paris that discussions were underway between the U.N., European Union, NATO and Arab States about “an appropriate response” to Libya’s demands for continued assistance.
