Ban-Ki-Moon Calls for UN, EU, African Union to Plan for Post-Qaddafi Libya
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he will convene an “urgent” meeting on Libya’s future with the heads of the African Union, the Arab League, the European Union and a coalition of Islamic nations.
“This is a hopeful moment,” Ban said today of the takeover of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, by the anti-government forces. “It is testimony to the courage and determination of the Libyan people to seek a free and democratic future.”
Ban, speaking to reporters in New York, said that the meeting likely would be held Aug. 25 or 26 and that he is also calling for a meeting of the Security Council to give the UN a mandate to assist Libya’s transition to a new government.
“The UN is prepared to assist in all vital areas, including security, rule of law, social and economic recovery, constitution-making, electoral process, human rights and transitional justice,” Ban said. The UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations has begun planning for a mission to monitor a cease-fire, he said.
Ban said that while he had talked over the weekend with Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi al-Mahmoudi, he hasn’t been able to speak with besieged Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi and doesn’t know where he is.
To contact the reporter on this story: Bill Varner at the United Nations at wvarner@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Silva at msilva34@bloomberg.net
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