UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The African Union on Wednesday pleaded for an immediate "humanitarian pause" in Libya followed by a cease-fire linked to a political solution and democratic reforms.
Speaking on behalf of the 53-nation African group, Mauritania’s Foreign Minister Hamady Ould Hamady told the U.N. Security Council that the Libyan people are experiencing "indescribable suffering."
In addition, he said, the prolonged military operations are posing new challenges as much "for the chances of a successful democratic transition in Libya as for the security and stability of the countries in the region."
"We are here to make a plea for an immediate humanitarian pause in order to respond to the pressing needs of the populations affected — a pause that should be followed by a cease-fire linked to a political process, in particular by starting with an inclusive and consensual transition," he said.
The U.N. Security Council authorized military action to protect civilians in Libya, bolstered by the Arab League’s condemnation of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s bloody crackdown on his own people and support for a no-fly zone over the country.
By contrast, the African Union has remained neutral — a point Hamady reiterated to the council.
While Libya is a Muslim nation with ties to the Arab world, it also has had under Gadhafi strong ties to its African neighbors and has been involved in a number of bilateral initiatives with African nations. Gadhafi is a strong advocate of a united Africa.
Hamady said that at last month’s AU summit, leaders reiterated the need for a political solution and endorsed the AU Road Map to resolve the crisis.
It calls for an immediate cease-fire, delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need, protection of foreigners including African migrant workers, and adoption and implementation of political reforms.
"Clearly, nothing in this Road Map could be legitimately interpreted as coming from an inclination to support any one given party," he said. "It is quite the contrary; in fact the Road Map is intended to give the Libyans an opportunity to freely elect their leaders and to acquire a political system that would fulfill their aspirations."
Hamady, whose president heads the AU Ad Hoc Committee on Libya, noted that at last month’s AU summit leaders had "expressed Africa’s surprise and disappointment at the attempts to marginalize the continent in the management of the Libyan conflict."
"We are here," he said, "to reaffirm that the lasting solution to the crisis in Libya requires a significant contribution from Africa and a close coordination between all the concerned actors."
Hamady said his speech and closed consultations that followed between the Security Council and the AU Ad Hoc Committee were meant to demonstrate Africa’s commitment to work closely with the U.N. and the secretary-general’s special envoy to Libya, Abdelilah Al-Khatib, who has been shuttling between both sides trying to promote a cease-fire and political solution.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told African Union diplomats in Addis Ababa on Monday to sever links with Gadhafi despite his long support and patronage for many African leaders.
Africa should join most of the rest of the world in abandoning Gadhafi, she said, stressing that the Libyan leader has lost all legitimacy to rule because of attacks on his own citizens.
Last week, Clinton said she was aware of "numerous and continuing" overtures by people close to Gadhafi to negotiate his departure from power.
A U.N. diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of negotiations, confirmed that people around Gadhafi "are entertaining that view."
The diplomat said Al-Khatib recently reported "a little bit of movement" in his talks but said there’s still "a big gap" between the two sides.
