The United Nations Security Council will vote on Thursday on a resolution that will end NATO's military campaign in Libya on October 31, the French foreign ministry said, confirming reports from New York dpa reported
In a statement, the ministry said the Security Council would vote to end the terms of resolution 1973, which called for the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya and authorized the use of force to protect civilians.
The UN vote is seen as a formality after NATO said it would end its air mission at the end of October, following the capture and killing of ousted dictator Moamer Gaddafi.
NATO's eight-month campaign of airstrikes was instrumental in helping Libya's rebels to finally defeat Gaddafi and his 42-year dictatorship last week.
UN diplomats said the 15-nation council may end the no-fly zone at 23:59 pm Libyan time (2159 GMT) on October 31.
The council may also terminate a measure that allowed states to freeze assets that belonged to Gaddafi and his family members, the Libyan National Oil Corporation and the Zueitina Oil Company.
It may also modify a provision on an arms embargo imposed on Libya after the Gaddafi regime launched a crackdown against pro-democracy protesters at the early stage of popular protests in February.
The head of Libya's National Transitional Council Mustafa Abdel Jalil had asked NATO to consider extending is mission, at least until the end of the year, to help secure the country's borders and combat illegal migration.
The French statement said discussions were underway between members of the United Nations, the European Union, NATO and Arab states about "an appropriate response" to Libya's demands for continued assistance.
...