France, Britain and Arab nations have made a new push at the UN Security Council to establish a no-fly zone over Libya to stop air attacks on civilians by Muammar
Gaddafi's forces.
Despite a plea on Tuesday night by France's envoy that there was only "hours" to help the Gaddafi opponents, opponents said serious questions about the proposed military operation had not been answered.
The resolution would ban "all flights" in Libyan airspace and allow "all necessary measures to enforce compliance," said diplomats quoting from the draft.
New talks on the two-part draft resolution are to be held on Wednesday, but French ambassador Gerard Araud said he did not expect a vote before Thursday.
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Lebanon, acting for the Arab League, proposed half of the resolution which calls for a no-fly zone to protect civilians.
The second, drawn up by Britain and France, calls for toughened sanctions against the Gaddafi regime.
China and Russia are leading opposition to the no-fly zone.
Germany and the United States have strong doubts and favour putting new bite into the arms embargo, travel ban and assets freeze passed by the council on February 26.
The proposed resolution would add new names of individuals subject to the asset freeze and travel ban, diplomats said.
It would also halt commercial flights suspected of bringing mercenaries or arms into the country.
