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Tony Fisher: Latest on Libya and the result of the Christopher Grady case

Latest on Libya and the result of the Christopher Grady case

BBC Essex - Tony Fisher, Latest on Libya and the result of the Christopher Grady case

We learn the jury's verdict of guilty on the Christopher Grady case and hear the stories.

Reaction the latest news about Libya and we hear from local dairy farmer, Mark Williams, on the report that more than six dairy farmers are leaving agriculture for good every month.

*The United Nations Security Council passed a draft resolution at about 11pm on Thursday night, authorising 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians in Libya.
*It calls for the creation of a no-fly zone and demands that that Colonel Gaddafi implements an immediate ceasefire to prevent his regime using air power against its people
*It rules out any form of occupying force
*The resolution was put forward by Britain, France and Lebanon. 
*Ten countries voted in favour, none against and there were five abstentions - including Russia, Chine and Germany 
*Libya has condemned the resolution, saying it shows an 'aggressive attitude' by the international community that threatens the country's unity and stability. 
*Germany said it had abstained from voting for a U.N. resolution authorising a no-fly zone over Libya because it sees "considerable dangers and risks" in military action against Muammar Gaddafi. Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said in a statement after the Security Council vote that German troops "will not take part in a military operation in Libya".

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE RESOLUTION
*Imposes "ban on all flights in Libyan airspace" except for aid planes 
*Authorises member states to "take all necessary measures" to "protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack" 
Excludes occupation force 
*Toughens arms embargo by calling on all member states to "inspect in their territory vessels and aircraft bound to or from Libya" 
*Widens asset freeze to include Libyan Investment Authority, Central Bank of Libya and Libyan National Oil Company among others 

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN LIBYA 
*Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi's forces have recently retaken several towns seized by rebels in an uprising.
*Forces loyal to Col Gaddafi reportedly launched their first air attacks on Benghazi, targeting the airport at Benina 
*Col Gaddafi's forces attacked the rebel-held town of Ajdabiya, a key objective before launching a ground assault on Benghazi, but rebels deployed tanks, artillery and a helicopter to repel the assault 
*Libyan state television reported that the city of Misrata was almost entirely under government control, but rebels and residents in the city denied this 
*Official Libyan news agency Jana reported that government forces would cease military operations from midnight on Sunday to give rebels the opportunity to hand over their weapons and "benefit from the decision on general amnesty".

REACTION FROM THE UK
*The Prime Minster will make a statement in the Commons today on Libya.
*There will also be a meeting of the cabinet.
*Number Ten have cautioned against suggestions that British planes could be in action "within hours." 
*Number Ten has refused to put any timetable on possible British military engagement - or whether action could begin this weekend.
*There was still "lots of talking to be done."
*British ambassador to the UN, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, said the UK Governments welcomes the fact that the UN had acted "swiftly and comprehensively in response to the appalling situation in Libya"
*he also said the resolution ruled out a foreign occupation force in any part of Libya.
*The UK and its partners are "ready to shoulder our responsibility" in enforcing the resolution, he said.
*Mr Lyall Grant said Gaddafi had launched air strikes "in anticipation of what we expect to be a brutal attack using air, land and sea forces" on Benghazi. He has publicly promised no mercy and no pity", he said - along with reports of a "grotesque offer of amnesty".
*A Foreign Office spokesman has just told the BBC that anything short of a strong comprehensive resolution on Libya will be considered "too weak by the British government. So, if the UN vote is just to call for a ceasefire, the British government will not be satisfied. 
*In response to reports that Colonel Gaddafi has said he would target air and sea traffic in the Mediterranean in the event of foreign military intervention, the FCO spokesman has said Britain would not be diverted from its objective.

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