The UN Security Council met Monday to review the Arab League's request for a no-fly zone in Libya, but no resolution was expected yet.
Diplomats at the meeting requested by Lebanon were expected to discuss the request during a briefing by UN political chief B. Lynn Pascoe, diplomats said on condition of anonymity because the discussions were private.
Britain and France have drafted a council resolution on creating a no-fly zone, but it has not been circulated yet.
"Now that there is this Arab League statement we do hope it's a game changer for the other members of the council," French Ambassador Gerard Araud said while heading into the meeting. "We do hope that these resolutions will allow us to later this week work on the resolution."
Rather than a project by France and Britain, Araud said he expects the lead on the resolution will be assumed by Libya's neighbours. "It will be the Arab League, Lebanon working with other members of the rest of the council," he said.
Lebanese Ambassador Nawaf Salam said that he circulated the Arab League's weekend communique calling for a no-fly zone to the rest of the council's 15 members by email.
Diplomats for more cautious members of the council said on background that they hoped to use the morning consultations to review additional political and financial sanctions on Libya
The council last month imposed an arms embargo on the North African country, and levied an assets freeze and travel ban on Gadhafi and some of his relatives and associates. The EU, the United States and other countries have also imposed their own sanctions.
