"It is a possibility," Yahya Mahmassani, the Arab League envoy, told reporters at the UN headquarters, adding however that he "cannot confirm," the participation of those two Arab nations.

Mahmassani made his remarks after the UN Security Council prepared to vote Thursday on a resolution to allow "all necessary measures", including military strikes, to protect Libyan civilians.

The measure also would ban all flights over Libya, according to a copy of the text obtained by AFP.

The resolution highlights that the international protection should be extended to the rebel capital of Benghazi in eastern Libya, which is now under threat from Moamer Qadhafi's forces.

The draft, drawn up by Britain, France, Lebanon and the United States, specifically excludes "an occupation force," and calls on Arab nations to "cooperate" in the implementation of the no-flight zone and other measures.

A vote on the resolution was expected at 2200 GMT on Thursday.