Addis Ababa, 17 January 2015: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the convening, by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), in Geneva, on 14 and 15 January 2015, of the first round of the Libyan political dialogue, aimed at facilitating the resolution of the multidimensional crisis facing Libya. She reiterates the AU’s support to the efforts of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Libya, Mr. Bernardino Leon.

The Chairperson of the Commission urges the Libyan stakeholders to demonstrate the required political commitment and spirit of compromise to end the ongoing violence, complete the current transition and achieve national reconciliation. She reiterates AU’s conviction that there can be no military solution to the current crisis in Libya. She looks forward to the holding, as scheduled, of a new round of dialogue next week, in Geneva, and encourages all concerned Libyan stakeholders to participate in the planned talks and extend the necessary cooperation to the UN Special Representative. 

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the AU’s commitment to contribute in whatever way possible to the search of a lasting solution to the crisis in Libya. In this respect, the Commission is taking steps for the convening, on 28 January 2015, in Addis Ababa, of the second ministerial-level meeting of the International Contact Group for Libya (ICG-L), which was established by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) at its 459^th meeting held in New York, on 23 September 2014. Building on the outcome of the inaugural meeting of the ICG-L, which took place in Addis Ababa on 3 December 2014, the second meeting will provide an opportunity to review the prevailing situation in Libya, as well as international and regional efforts to address the challenges at hand, and to chart the best way forward. 

The Chairperson of the Commission seizes this opportunity to reiterate the AU’s appreciation to the countries of the region for their sustained efforts and commitment. She stresses the critical importance of their continued involvement, noting that their deep knowledge of the situation puts them in a position to effectively contribute to the emergence of a Libyan consensus and the search for a lasting solution to the current crisis.

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