(L-R) Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Mussa, UN chief Ban Ki-moon, African Union Commission head Jean Ping, and European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, attend a joint press conference on Libya, in Cairo on April 14, 2011. UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for a 'political' solution and immediate ceasefire to the conflict in Libya, at an international conference hosted by the Arab League in Cairo.May 30, 2011
South Africa slams Libya strikes before Gaddafi talks
South Africa's ruling party has slammed the bombing of Libya, in a statement on the eve of a visit by President Jacob Zuma to Tripoli for talks with strongman Muammar Gaddafi.
Zuma is to meet Gaddafi on Monday, amid intensified NATO strikes on the embattled Libyan leader's regime, as part of an African push to end the conflict, with sources saying the talks would focus on an exit plan.
His ruling African National Congress said it supports African Union (AU) efforts to peacefully resolve the unrest "through negotiations by all parties involved in the conflict" in the uprising against Gaddafi's regime.
Advertisement: Story continues below "We also join the continent and all peace-loving people of the world in condemning the continuing aerial bombardments of Libya by western forces," it said in a statement after a two-day meeting of its executive council.
Two officials in Zuma's presidency, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP last week Monday's meeting would focus on Gaddafi's "exit strategy".
Zuma's spokesman insisted this was misleading and the talks would be part of AU efforts for Libya to adopt "the political reforms necessary for the elimination of the causes of the current crisis".
The South African leader - who was in Nigeria on Sunday - has also pledged to "do whatever is possible to assist while in Tripoli" to help bring home the remains of photographer Anton Hammerl.
The South African-Austrian lensman was shot dead by Gaddafi forces in April. There had been repeated assurances from the Libyan leader since then that he was alive.
Zuma visited Tripoli on April 10 as part of a high-ranking AU delegation to broker a truce, but a peace plan fell through.
South Africa voted for the UN resolution passed in March on enforcing a Libyan no-fly zone, intended to protect civilians from attacks by pro-Gaddafi forces, but has since criticised the bombing campaign and does not support a regime change.
It has also strongly condemned attacks on civilians by Gaddafi forces.
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/south-africa-slams-libya-strikes-before-gaddafi-talks-20110530-1fbe5.html#ixzz1NnXcJSef
