Libya declared an immediate cease of fire throughout the country to protect civilians and conform to the UN Security Council resolution taken on Thursday night, the Libyan Foreign Affairs minister Moussa Koussa declared, quoted by Reuters. We decided an immediate cease fire and of all military operations throughout the country, Tripoli official said.

The country is keen on protecting civilians. Koussa added that the country will protect all foreigners and their assets. On Thursday night, the UN Security Council voted a resolution authorizing an air exclusion area and all necessary measures including military action to protect civilians against Qaddafi.