SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — The United Nations Security Council on Thursday approved the imposition of a no-fly zone over Libya and “all necessary measures” to protect civilians in the war-torn African nation, while air attacks aimed at Col Moammar Gadhafi’s forces were reportedly expected within hours.

The U.N. council voted 10-0 to adopt the resolution providing for the use of force in Libva, with five abstentions including China and Russia.

Gadhafi, the embattled leader whose rule not long ago was seen as tenuous, was expected to soon arrive in the eastern city of Benghazi to attempt to wipe out the rebel movement based there.

U.N. OKs military airstrikes on Libya

The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. is “fine-tuning” military options for strikes against Gadhafi’s forces, should the White House order them.

Options include using cruise missiles to take out Libyan military sites and air-defense systems, the Journal reported. NATO involvement in the military action is also possible, according to the report.

Roughly one month ago, Libya became one of a number of nations in the region to see a widespread, popular uprising.

While the U.S. was initially reluctant to take action on Libya, the specter of violent backlash against rebels and civilians by forces loyal to Gadhafi has increased the sense of urgency among the U.S. and other nations.

Separately, The Wall Street Journal reported that Egypt has begun shipping arms to Libyan rebels, with Washington’s knowledge.

The shipments “appear to be the first confirmed case of an outside government arming the rebel fighters,” the Journal reported. See report on Egypt arming Libyan rebels on WSJ.com.

Benchmark Nymex crude-oil futures rose following news of the U.N. vote. See report on crude-oil reaction.