MPs debate military action taken against Libya
22 March 2011
The House of Commons debated the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973 and UK military involvement to protect civilians in Libya on Monday 21 March
The Prime Minister, David Cameron, introduced the debate and the Leader of the Opposition, Ed Miliband, responded on behalf of the Opposition.
Watch and read the views expressed by MPs who took part in the debate. A list of those MPs that voted can be found at the end of the debate in Commons Hansard (Ayes 557: Noes 13).
- Video and audio: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973
- Commons Hansard: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973
- Commons Hansard: Voting list of MPs
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973
The Security Council of the United Nations passed Resolution 1973 on Thursday 17 March 2011. The Resolution expresses 'grave concern at the deteriorating situation, the escalation of violence, and the heavy civilian casualties' in Libya.
The Resolution 'demands the immediate establishment of a cease-fire and a complete end to violence and all attacks against, and abuses of, civilians'.
The Resolution also 'authorizes Member States... to take all necessary measures... to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, including Benghazi, while excluding a foreign occupation force of any form on any part of Libyan territory'.
And 'decides to establish a ban on all flights in the airspace of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya in order to help protect civilians'.
Read the UN Security Council Resolution in full:
- UN Security Council Resolution 1973: The situation in Libya
- United Nations Security Council (external link)
House of Commons Library analysis
The House of Commons Library regularly produce briefing notes which inform MPs about key issues. The Library has produced several briefing papers on Libya and parliamentary approval for deploying UK Armed Forces.
- Commons Library briefing paper: Parliamentary Approval for Deploying the Armed Forces (PDF 34KB)
- Commons Library briefing paper: Establishment of a Military No-Fly Zone over Libya
- Commons Library briefing paper: The Security Council’s “no-fly zone” resolution on Libya (PDF 93KB)
Commons statement
Prime Minister, David Cameron, made a statement to the House of Commons on Friday 18 March on the UN Security Council resolution on Libya. Watch and read the statement in full and responses from MPs:
- Video and Audio: Statement on UN Security Council Resolution
- Commons Hansard: Statement on UN Security Council Resolution
- Topics: Middle East
Middle East and North Africa
Watch and read recent statements and urgent questions made to the House of Commons on Libya, Bahrain, Egypt and Tunisia.
- Commons news: Statement on Libya
- Commons news: Statement on Libya and the Middle East
- Commons news: Urgent question on Bahrain
- Commons news: Statement on the Middle East and North Africa
- Commons news: Statement on EU Council and North Africa
- Commons news: Statement on Egypt
- Commons news: Urgent question on Tunisia