RAS LANUF, Libya - The United Kingdom and France spearheaded a drive at the United Nations for a no-fly zone over Libya as battles raged across the country and Muammar Gadhafi's son said a civil war would erupt if his father stepped down.

Any further United Nations Security Council action against Libya must ensure that it helps the country return to stability as soon as possible, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Tuesday.

"The North African country's sovereignty must also be respected," she said.