Britain, France Preparing U.N. Resolution on Libya No-Fly Zone

British Foreign Secretary William Hague confirmed Monday that Britain was working to draft a U.N. resolution on a no-fly zone over Libya to counter Moammar Gadhafi's offensive against rebels, but said it must have regional support and a "clear legal basis".

"At the U.N. Security Council we are working closely with partners on a contingency basis on elements of a resolution on a no-fly zone, making clear the need for regional support, a clear trigger for such a resolution and an appropriate legal basis," Hague told lawmakers in the House of Commons.

A diplomat at the United Nations told Agence France Presse that Britain was drafting the resolution with France and could put it to the Security Council this week.

Answering questions in parliament, Hague said the Libyan rebels had "already asked explicitly for a no-fly zone" but he stressed that "many conditions should be attached" in trying to implement it.

"There should be a demonstrable need that the whole world can see. There must be a clear legal basis for such a no-fly zone, and there must be clear support from the region, from the Middle East region, from the north African region as well as from the people of Libya themselves," he said.

"I think those are the necessary conditions for such a no-fly zone to be created."

Britain and France have made the most aggressive calls among western powers for a no-fly zone to hamper Gadhafi's offensive. The United States has said it is studying the possibility while warning of the major military operation it would entail.

The U.N. Security Council unanimously passed sanctions against the Gadhafi regime and ordered a crimes against humanity investigation on February 26. Any new move toward military action is likely to face tough resistance from China, Russia and other members of the 15 however.

Arab League secretary general Amr Moussa supported a no-fly zone when he spoke to French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe in Cairo on Sunday, French foreign ministry spokesman Bernard Valero said in Paris.

"Mr. Moussa confirmed the support of the Arab League for a no-fly zone," Valero said.

The strong support from Arab and African nations helped sway Russia, China and others behind the assets freeze and travel ban against Gadhafi and 15 other members of his family and regime.

Russia and China, which traditionally oppose military sanctions, may resist stronger measures so soon after the last vote, diplomats and experts said.

Russia, China, Britain, France and the United States are permanent members of the Security Council who can veto any resolution.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last week called the no-fly zones "superfluous" and said international powers should concentrate on the existing sanctions.

China's foreign ministry also indicated last week that the Beijing government was cool to military action.

India, which is also a member of the Security Council, has also indicated opposition to no-fly zones, though diplomats said it could be swayed if the Libya fighting worsens.

The council is to be briefed on the turmoil in North Africa on Tuesday from U.N. under secretary general B. Lynn Pascoe.