Libya resolution 'bigger than individuals'
2011-06-30 12:08
Malabo - The African Union is pursuing its roadmap to end the conflict in Libya and the plan is larger than merely calling for long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi to quit, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
African leaders trying to find a way out of the uprising and its bloody backlash in Libya, were gathering for talks in Malabo late on Wednesday to review their progress, ahead of the African Union summit opening Thursday.
The team reported at the weekend that Gaddafi had agreed to stay out of negotiations on the crisis, a move it saw as a breakthrough in the protracted standoff.
"I think this is an important step," African Union spokesperson Noureddine Mezni told AFP.
"We are not looking for the change of people, individuals, we are looking for democracy for these people. Whatever can achieve their legitimate aspirations, we are working on it," he said.
The roadmap has been accepted by Gaddafi but rejected by the rebels confronting him, who demand that he must first step down.
The plan was "inclusive and consensual", Mezni said.
"In our roadmap there is a transition, we will include by consensus all the parties, then we have general elections, we are looking for democracy for the Libyan people, rule of law."
A delegation from the rebel National Transitional Council was expected on the sidelines of the summit to meet with heads of state, diplomats said.
The summit was not expected to react positively to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant issued last week for Gaddafi, one of his sons and the head of intelligence for atrocities.
"It will complicate our work," one diplomat said on condition of anonymity, referring to the group's efforts to resolve the issue through persuasion, with a post-Gaddafi scenario already envisaged.
"We are disappointed. This will not help the peace process," the diplomat said.