Strikes in Libya Justified by UN, Says US Official

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - The military action being taken by U.S. and allied forces in Libya is justified by the United Nations Security Council resolution passed last week, a senior U.S. official told Reuters Sunday.

"The resolution endorsed by Arabs and UNSC (the United Nations Security Council) included 'all necessary measures' to protect civilians, which we made very clear includes, but goes beyond, a no-fly zone," the official told Reuters during a visit by President Barack Obama to Rio de Janeiro.

The official was responding to criticism by the Arab League chief on Sunday that allied military action had gone beyond imposing a no-fly zone over Libya.