NATO is ready to carry out precision airstrikes against Libya, and the military operation may begin in the next few hours, a NATO source said on Friday, according to RIA Novosti.

"The decision is expected to be formally approved during today`s meeting of the NATO Council. Relevant military planning for this case has already been made, and I expect that the operation may start in the next few hours," the source said.

He added that the airstrikes are likely to be carried out by the United States, Britain, France and Canada.

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The UN Security Council approved on Thursday a resolution imposing a no-fly zone over Libya. The resolution, adopted after three days of consultations, authorizes "to take all necessary measures... to protect civilians and civilian populated areas under threat of attack in the Libyan Arab Jamhariya, including Benghazi, while excluding an occupation force."

Under the resolution, the UN member states will not authorize Libyan planes to take off, land or fly in their airspace, if the flight was not approved by the Security Council`s sanctions committee.

The resolution was approved by 10 members of the UN Security Council. Brazil, China, Germany, India and Russia abstained from the vote.