Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane arrives in New York today, 14 June 2011, in pursuant to the decision of the African Union (AU) for the Ministers representing the African Union High-Level Ad hoc Committee on Libya to brief the United Nations Security Council.
South Africa, working with Nigeria and Gabon, as the three African non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, earlier proposed that a meeting of the Security Council be convened on 15 June to receive this briefing from the AU Committee on Libya.
The key purpose of the meeting is to allow for the Ministers representing the African Union High-Level Ad hoc Committee on Libya to brief the UN Security Council on the AU Roadmap. The meeting would be an attempt at finding a common ground on a political track.
The AU Committee is expected to brief the Council followed by statements by all 15 Council members. The Council, together with the Ministers representing the AU High-Level Ad hoc Committee on Libya would thereafter convene in a closed interactive dialogue for a frank exchange of views on the political process to resolve the Libyan crises.
The council meeting will be presided over by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Gabon, in his country’s capacity as President of the Security Council for the month of June.
There is general agreement among all Council members that a political rather than a military solution is the only way in which durable peace can be achieved in Libya. However, there are key differences among Council members on the modalities of a peaceful solution.
South Africa has been among those Council members who have been reiterating that Resolution 1973 was adopted focusing on the protection of civilians and must be implemented in its letter and spirit, without giving an impression that there are other motives at play, including regime change.
It is expected that after extensive discussions, the Council could adopt an outcome document, in the form of a Security Council Presidential Statement (PRST). South Africa has worked with the three African countries as well as partners such as Brazil, Russia, India and China to develop such an outcome. Such a PRST, it is anticipated, will seek to re-affirm the essential elements of resolution 1973 pertaining to the protection of civilians and stressing the need for a political solution. The Minister returns to South Africa on 17 June 2011.
For further information please contact:
Mr Clayson Monyela
Spokesperson for DIRCO
Cell: 082 884 5974
