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| Africa North |
| International groups meet on Libya, urge solution |
| 2011-06-19 |
| International organisations on Saturday called for a political process to end the conflict in Libya, where the government hit out at NATO's air war. The Libyan regime headed by Moamer Kadhafi also dismissed rebel denials that the two sides have held talks. Just after midnight on Sunday (2200 GMT Saturday) a loud explosion was heard in the Libyan capital. Authorities took journalists to Tripoli's residential district of Arada where they were shown two bodies, said to have been victims of a NATO bombing raid. The reporters also saw four damaged houses. World organisations including the United Nations, European Union and Arab League met in Cairo to discuss Libya and stressed the need for a political solution there. They issued a statement in Arabic underlining the importance of "accelerating the launch of a political process that responds to the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people." EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton attended the meeting along with outgoing Arab League chief Amr Mussa and African Union head Jean Ping, while UN chief Ban Ki-moon joined by live video link. "Today it's been about how do we make sure that in the work we do that we offer the sort of support that will enable the Libyan people to choose the future that they want," Ashton told reporters. Ban Ki-moon meanwhile said that the roots of a negotiating process are showing in the Libya conflict. Following talks with top officials from the European Union, African Union and other groups, Ban stressed the need for the international community to give a "consistent message" on a political solution with Kadhafi but indicated the signs of progress. |
| Posted by:tipper |