The United Nations Security Council, with the backing of the Obama administration, has authorized military force and a no-fly zone around Libya.

Update: The U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing military force in Libya passed on Thursday evening, as expected. Ten countries voted in favor, while five countries (Russia, Germany, China, India, Brazil) abstained. According to a report by the BBC, British forces could begin making air raids as soon as Friday.

Today, President Obama made his strongest statement yet on the Libyan situation:

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama demanded Friday that Moammar Gadhafi halt all military attacks against civilians and said that if the Libyan leader did not stand down the United States would join in military action against him.

Still, Obama also said the United States “is not going to deploy ground troops into Libya.”