The European Parliament (EP) has approved a resolution backing a no fly zone over Libya and calling on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to immediately step down.

With Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's planes and tanks pounding rebel positions in the east of Libya, MEPs demanded the enforcement of a no-fly zone over the country's territory and the recognition of rebel authorities.

There were 584 MEPs in favour of the resolution and 18 against.

During the debate, MEPs had no kind words for Gaddafi, speaking of a criminal regime, terrorising its own people.

Socialist leader Martin Schulz said “Gaddafi is a criminal. He is a murderer, who should be put in an international court. This man will not escape his punishment.”

In the debate all political groups, except the leftist GUE/NGL, supported no-fly zones, although they differed on the need for UN authorisation.

Excerpts from the EP’s approved resolution:

The EP:

“Stresses that the EU and its member states must honour their Responsibility to Protect, in order to save Libyan civilians from large-scale armed attacks; points out that no option provided for in the UN Charter can therefore be ruled out; calls on the High Representative and the Member States to stand ready for a UNSC decision on further measures, including the possibility of a no-fly zone aimed at preventing the regime from targeting the civilian population; emphasises that any measures enacted by the EU and its Member States should be in compliance with a UN mandate and be based on coordination with the Arab League and the African Union, encouraging both organisations to steer international efforts;”

“Calls for an immediate end to the brutal dictatorial regime of Colonel Gaddafi and calls on him to stand down immediately in order to prevent further bloodshed and to allow a peaceful political transition to take place;”