The threat of military action prompted Libya to promise attacks on civilian targets. In a fiery television address last night, Muammar Gaddafi said his forces were set to retake Benghazi. "The people will see tomorrow if the city is one of traitors or heroes... Don't betray me, my beloved Benghazi," he said.

After the resolution, the regime's official response came from deputy foreign minister Khalid Kaim, whose press conference in front of television cameras was interrupted when a noisy crowd of young men chanting pro-Gaddafi slogans burst into the room in what was supposedly a spontaneous show of support for the regime.

Mr Kaim congratulated the abstaining countries, but insisted that "there will be no intention of any party to attack civilians anywhere in the country".

He denied that his remarks contrasted with the threats against Benghazi earlier in the day by Col Gaddafi.