Gaddafi to Sit Out Peace Negotiations

BuaNews (Tshwane)

27 June 2011

Pretoria — The African Union High Level Ad Hoc Committee has welcomed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s acceptance of not being part of the negotiation process to end the turmoil in the North African country.

The committee held a meeting on Sunday to discuss the developments on the situation in Libya and steps in the implementation of its mandate.

The meeting was attended by Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Yoweri Museveni of the Republic of Uganda, Amadou Toumani Toure of the Republic of Mali, South African President Jacob Zuma, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamamra, and the President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, was represented by that country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, the committee reiterated that only a political solution will make it possible to sustainably settle the current conflict in Libya and welcomed efforts by President Zuma with the Libyan parties and international actors, as well as the outcome of the Cairo meeting held on 18 June 2011.

The committee also reiterated the AU’s deep concern at the continuing fighting between the warring Libyan parties and the NATO-led aerial bombardment, noting the dire humanitarian situation created by the situation including loss of life among civilians, forced displacements and shortage of basic necessities.

Reporting after the meeting, Lamamra said the committee agreed to continue its work towards the Libyan parties, including its government and Transitional National Council (TNC) of Libya, based on both the Libyan Authorities and the TNC committing themselves to an immediate suspension of all hostilities.

“The Libyan parties should begin the national dialogue for a comprehensive ceasefire, national reconciliation, transitional arrangements as well as the agenda for democratic transformation.

“The national dialogue would be followed by the establishment of an interim government, with the support of the AU and the UN through the AU High Level Ad Hoc Committee and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General,” said Lamamra.

The committee further appealed to all Libyans to heed the call to allow Africans to continue to provide Africa-owned and Africa-led solutions to their problems.

In a statement, Zuma noted that in spite of the efforts, the crisis in Libya continues to escalate.

“On the ground, there is a military stalemate which we cannot and must not be allowed to drag on and on, both because of its horrendous cost in civilian lives and the potential it has to destabilise the entire sub-region,” Zuma said.

He also reiterated the committee’s statement that those in authority in Libya and in the TNC have to act boldly and show leadership.

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