Libya initially objected to the draft U.N. resolution on the high seas mission, but its U.N. Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi wrote to the council Tuesday to say the country's concerns had been allayed and it agreed to the final draft.

British Ambassador Matthew Rycroft welcomed the approval, and said "any action will be proportional in keeping with the limits authorized by this resolution and used solely against the smugglers and empty boats."

He said any refugees rescued would be taken to Europe. Still, he cautioned that naval missions against smugglers would not tackle the root causes of the refugee problem.

"Action against smugglers on the high sea won't solve this crisis alone," he said. "But it will send a message that people cannot profit from this evil trade with impunity. It will save lives."

The operation only covers the migration route from Libya and will not apply to the route that refugees have been using to flee the wars in Syria and Iraq, from Turkey through Greece and the Balkans.

Russia and the African members of the council – Chad, Angola and Nigeria – had been wary of authorizing the use of force. But they ended up voting in favor of the measure.

Libya descended into chaos after a revolution in 2011 led to the ouster and killing of leader Muammar Gaddafi, with two competing governments backed by militias scrambling for control of the oil-producing country. A power vacuum has allowed the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) to gain a foothold in the North African state.

The International Organization for Migration said this week that nearly 3,000 people have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean this year, while 557,899 refugees and migrants have reached Europe.

Reuters