ADDIS ABABA (AFP) – The African Union on Wednesday called for a political solution to Libya's protracted conflict, weighing in once more on the crisis though its proposals have largely been ignored.
The pan-African bloc has called for a ceasefire and set up a high-level mediation team, but its efforts have had little effect on the ground as Western powers continue with air raids against Moamer Kadhafi's regime.
"I am convinced that only a political solution can lead to a lasting peace and satisfy the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people," said Jean Ping, head of the AU Commission, the pan-African bloc's executive body.
"The situation in Libya remains a serious concern for us, for the future of Libya itself as well as for regional countries," Ping said at a special summit Wednesday in Addis Ababa.
"Unfortunately the current situation on the ground and the lack of coordination of international efforts do not favour the search for a solution."
The AU is opposed to the international military action against the Libyan regime and last month proposed a ceasefire plan, which was rejected by the Libyan rebels who insisted on Kadhafi's departure first.
Kadhafi himself however readily accepted the plan.
The AU also proposed a transition period for negotiations to organise elections.
But the AU's proposals for resolving the north African country's months-long crisis, including the mediation team made up of African heads of state, have largely been snubbed, most recently even by South Africa.
Before the talks even opened in Addis Ababa, the office of South African President Jacob Zuma said he would visit Tripoli for talks with Kadhafi on Monday.
Presidency sources said the talks would focus on Kadhafi's "exit strategy."
Libyan rebels have not warmed to the AU's overtures either, wary of the ties between the continental body and Kadhafi, who is one of the bloc's main financiers.
However Ping insisted that "the roadmap proposed by the AU has all the elements for a solution. We need to be given the opportunity to effect it."
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, also attending the special summit, renewed his call for a ceasefire.
"Last night, I spoke at length once again with the Libyan prime minister (Al-Baghdadi Ali Al-Mahmoudi) to listen to his concerns over the recent intensified bombing campaign," Ban said.
"I reiterated the urgent need for a real ceasefire and serious negotiations on a transition to a government that fully meets the aspiration of the Libyan people."
Libya has been mired in a bloody conflict pitting Kadhafi's forces against opposition rebels since the eruption of massive anti-government protests in mid-February.
An international coalition intervened on March 19, launching air raids and missile strikes under a UN mandate aimed at protecting civilians from Kadhafi's forces. NATO took command of the air campaign on March 31.
The alliance this week intensified bombardments against the Libyan regime, seeking to deliver a decisive blow to Kadhafi's government.
"Despite some speculation about differences, all of us, without equivocation, condemned the violent events," Ban said. "All of us recognise the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people for freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, dignity and justice."
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