AU: Libyan conflict may lead to terrorism

2011-09-15 08:55

Pretoria - Terrorism and the proliferation of weapons arising out of the Libyan conflict are a cause for concern the African Union (AU) said on Wednesday.

It was "concerned with the possibility of the current situation undermining regional peace and security", its Ad Hoc Committee on Libya said in a communiqué issued after meeting in Pretoria.

This could be brought about through "terrorism and the proliferation of weapons", it said.

The committee did not elaborate on its concerns in the communiqué, but said it welcomed a September 05 letter sent to the AU by Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC).

In it, the NTC had committed itself to "give priority to national unity and to bring together all Libyan stakeholders, without exception to rebuild the country".

The committee again urged that there be an "immediate cessation of hostilities".

South Africa and the AU have so far refused to recognise the NTC as the new legitimate authority in Tripoli, Libya.

The AU has attempted to mediate a peace deal between the NTC and the government of former Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi.

Last week, the South African Cabinet reconfirmed the country's commitment to the AU roadmap as the best option to resolve the conflict in Libya.

Earlier this month, South Africa boycotted a Paris conference on rebuilding the war-torn country, in protest against Nato's military intervention in Libya.

- SAPA