TRIPOLI, Mar 31, 2011 (AFP) - Key events since the UN Security Council approved international measures to protect civilians in Libya:

Thursday, March 17:

- With the forces of Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi poised to attack the main rebel stronghold of Benghazi, the UN Security Council agrees a resolution approving military action.

Saturday, March 19:

- French President Nicolas Sarkozy hosts a summit on the crisis. As it ends, French jets attack pro-Kadhafi forces. US and British warships fire cruise missiles at Libyan targets.

Sunday, March 20:

- The US military says the first phase of the operation has halted Kadhafi's forces in their march on Benghazi.

- Kadhafi says all Libyans are ready to fight "a long, drawn-out war" against a "barbaric aggression."

- The Arab League criticises the scale of the attacks while the African Union calls for an "immediate stop" to the offensive.

Monday, March 21:

- Pro-Kadhafi forces retreat from Benghazi.

- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says the Western offensive resembles a "mediaeval crusade," India calls for a halt and Germany confirms its decision to remain on the sidelines.

Saturday, March 26:

- Rebels take over the eastern towns of Ajdabiya and Brega after a barrage of Western air strikes destroys Kadhafi's forces.

Sunday, March 27:

- Pressing westwards in the wake of coalition bombing runs against Kadhafi's forces, the rebels take the oil town of Ras Lanuf. They promise that Libya's oil exports will soon resume.

Monday, March 28:

- The rebels advance on Kadhafi's home town of Sirte.

Tuesday, March 29:

- Forces loyal to Kadhafi push rebels back in eastern Libya.

- Pro-Kadhafi forces also advance on the rebel-held town of Misrata, east of Tripoli.

- International powers meeting in London agree unanimously that Kadhafi should go. They agree to create a contact group to map out a future for Libya and to meet again as soon as possible in Qatar.

Wednesday, March 30:

- Khadafi's forces overrun the oil town of Ras Lanuf and Brega. Rebels scatter eastwards.

- The coalition carries out air strikes on Kadhafi forces west of Ajdabiya.

- Disagreement emerges between countries enforcing the no-fly zone over arming the rebels.

- Libyan Foreign Minister Mussa Kussa arrives in Britain after resigning his post, in a setback for Kadhafi.

- Rebels say no Al-Qaeda members within their ranks.

- The United States and Britain have inserted covert intelligence agents into Libya to help the rebels, the New York Times says.

Thursday, March 31:

- NATO takes full command of all Libyan operations from the United States.

- NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says arming the insurgents was beyond the scope of the alliance.

- Libyan rebels fight running street battles with forces loyal to Kadhafi around Brega. More international raids in the region.

- A French diplomatic representative and US diplomatic envoy hold talks with the rebel leadership in Benghazi.

- The New York Times reports that the United States and Britain had inserted covert intelligence agents into Libya.

- Kadhafi warns western leaders they had started something in Libya which they cannot control.

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Copyright AFP 2011.