Cairo/Washington: Caving in to international pressure, Libya on Saturday announced an immediate ceasefire in the battle against rebels fighting to overthrow Muammar Gaddafi, even as US President Barack Obama warned of "military action" to implement a UN resolution to curb him.
"Libya has decided an immediate ceasefire and an immediate halt to all military operations to protect civilians in accordance with UN Security Council resolution," Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa said in a live broadcast over
state-run television, as allies readied quick plans for a military action which France said could come "within hours".
Koussa said that Libya, as a member of the United Nations, was "obliged to accept the UN Security Council's resolutions".
UN Security Council today approved imposing a no-fly zone over battle-torn Libya and authorised "all necessary measures" to protect civilians.
Meanwhile, US today hardened his stand on developments in Libya with President Barack Obama saying, "Now, once more, Muammar Gaddafi has a choice. The (UN) resolution that passed lays out very clear conditions that must be met.
The United States, the United Kingdom, France and Arab states agree that
a cease-fire must be implemented immediately."
"That means all attacks against civilians must stop.
Gadhafi must stop his troops from advancing on Benghazi; pull them back from Adjadbiya, Misrata and Zawiya; and establish water, electricity and gas supplies to all areas.
Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to reach the people of Libya," Obama said in his remarks to the press at the White House.
"Let me be clear, these terms are not negotiable. These terms are not subject to negotiation.
If Gadhafi does not comply with the resolution, the international community will impose consequences, and the resolution will be enforced through military action," Obama asserted.
Earlier, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the US "will continue to work with our partners in the international community to press Gaddafi to leave, and to support the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people".
The Council earlier approved the resolution to permit "all necessary measures" to establish a no-fly zone, protect civilian areas and impose a ceasefire on Gaddafi's military.
Resolution 1973 "demands the immediate establishment of a ceasefire and a complete end to violence and all attacks, against, and abuses of, civilians."
Libya's ceasefire announcement came only hours after Gaddafi said in an interview on Portugese television that the Council had "no mandate" for such a resolution, "which we absolutely do not recognise."
"This is not a war between two countries that permits the council to intervene," he added.
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