Action on Libya

On Thursday, 17 March, the United Nations Security Council voted to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. The vote was 10–0, with Brazil, China, Germany, India and Russia choosing not to vote.

The UN authorized "all necessary measures ... to protect civilians and civilian-populated areas under threat of attack."

France, Britain, the US and allied forces began preparing for military operations against Libya.

On Saturday, 19 March, British Prime Minister David Cameron gave a statement to reporters in Downing Street after RAF (Royal Air Force) jets were sent to Libya.

Mr Cameron said:

"We have all seen the appalling brutality that Colonel Gaddafi has meted out against his own people. And far from introducing the ceasefire he spoke about, he has actually stepped up the attacks and the brutality that we can all see.

So what we are doing is necessary, it is legal, and it is right.

In our exercise, we take a closer look at the vocabulary David Cameron used in his statement to reporters. Watch the video from ITN News one more time before you try the gap-fill exercise on the next page.

Dagmar Taylor