Gaddafi accepts not being part of negotiation process: AU - Xinhua

by Shao Haijun

PRETORIA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi had accepted of not being part of the negotiation process, according to the communiqué issued by the meeting of the African Union (AU) High-Level ad hoc Committee on Libya in Pretoria on Sunday.

"The AU High Level Ad Hoc Committee welcomes Colonel Gaddafi's acceptance of not being part of the negotiation process," said the communiqué.

The meeting which was attended by presidents from Mauritania, Uganda, Mali, South Africa, foreign minister of the Republic of Congo, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security had closed discussions in presidential guesthouse in Pretoria.

The Committee called on Libyans to commit themselves to an immediate suspension of all hostilities.

"Following the suspension of hostilities, and in accordance with operative paragraph 3 of UNSC Resolution 1973 and the AU Roadmap, 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 communiqué said.

With the support of the AU and the UN, the national dialogue would be followed by the establishment of an interim government through the AU High-Level ad hoc Committee and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General.

"We are charged with the responsibility to lead the efforts of the African Union in finding a peaceful, political settlement in Libya on the basis of the AU Roadmap on Libya," South African President Jacob Zuma said as the welcoming remarks.

The committee reiterated the AU's conviction that only a political solution will make it possible to sustainably settle the current conflict in Libya. In this regard, it reiterated that the AU Roadmap remains a viable basis for a way out of the crisis.

Since its establishment four months ago, this committee has met several times and held interactions with the Libyan parties on a number of occasions, including with both Colonel Gaddafi and the Transitional National Council (TNC) leadership.

President Zuma last month met with Colonel Gaddafi in Tripoli to discuss the peace process.

"The basic premise of our roadmap is that the solution to the situation in Libya has to be political and lies in the hands of the Libyan people," Zuma said.

The committee also expressed its deep concern on the humanitarian situations including loss of lives among civilians, forced displacement, both within and outside Libya, shortages of basic necessities and called for the stopping of NATO bombings and the observance of a humanitarian pause.

"The continuing bombing by NATO and its allies is a concern that has been raised by our committee and by the AU Assembly because the intention of Resolution 1973 was to protect the Libyan people and facilitate the humanitarian effort," Zuma added.

The ad hoc committee will report to the 17th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union which will held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, from June 28 to July 1 to seek its continued support for the pursuit of its efforts.