Pretoria - The African Union panel on Libya will meet on Wednesday in Pretoria to discuss the latest developments in the North African state, International Relations Minister Nkoana-Mashabane said on Tuesday.
The committee -- led by President Jacob Zuma -- will meet in Pretoria to discuss a range of issues concerning Libya, Nkoana-Mashabane said at an international co-operation, trade and security cluster briefing.
The panel also consists of the heads of state of Uganda, Mauritania, Mali and Congo-Brazzaville
"These leaders will be meeting to review the progress of the outcome of the AU Peace and Security Council meeting which was held last month."
In their summit in August, the AU reconfirmed their commitment to the AU roadmap as the best option to resolve the conflict in Libya.
Nkoana-Mashabane said one of the key issues that the leaders will look into is the situation in Libya post Colonel Muammar Gaddafi regime.
The AU has sought in vain to mediate between Gaddafi and the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) rebels, who have rejected the continental bloc's proposals. In turn, the AU has not recognised the NTC, which now controls most of Libya's territory.
As the fighting intensifies, Gaddafi's whereabouts remain unknown. The ousted leader said last week that he had not fled to Niger and would fight to death in his country.
Nkoana-Mashabane said the AU plan can only work if the parties are prepared to talk to each other.
She reiterated that the NTC is an opportunity for an interim all inclusive government that will prepare for a democratic government through democratic elections, preceded by an interim constitution.
These elements, she said, are referred to in the original AU roadmap, which spells out the way forward, and should include the drafting of a new constitution under the supervision of the transitional government, and a referendum on the new constitution leading to democratic elections.
Asked what "inclusive" interim government meant, Nkoana-Mashabane said it should "represent all the political forces in the country."
Responding to questions about reports that South Africa sold weapons to Libya, including sniper rifles and Hercules C130 aircraft and rounds of ammunition, State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele said they have no record of selling weapons to Libya during the period of political unrest.
Cwele said that at the time, the transaction was concluded with Libya in 2010, there was no evidence available to the effect that there would be any political unrest in that country. This extended to the region -- North Africa and parts of the Middle East -- added Cwele.
South African law prohibits the sale of weapons to countries where they may contribute to international repression, human rights violations or were likely to escalate regional military conflicts, endanger peace or threaten regional stability.
"At the time when these transactions were concluded, there was no United Nations Security Council resolution on an arms embargo against Libya or any of the other states with which we traded that are or recently have been affected by political instability," added Cwele.
In 2010, the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) duly authorised arms trade between South African companies operating in defence-related industry and Libya.
A number of other transactions were also considered at that time. In authorising those transactions, the NCACC applied the guiding principles and criteria set out in terms of the NCACC Act.
All decisions taken by the NCACC were preceded by investigations undertaken by the subcommittees established in terms of the Act.
These subcommittees had a legal duty to report to and advise the NCACC on matters that related to its business, including the arms trade, he said.
Meanwhile, SADC will also meet this week in their efforts to revive the moribund peace process in Madagascar.
Nkoana-Mashabane said the troika of the politics, defence and security organ of the SADC, which South Africa has just taken the chair of, will travel there to iron out the sticking point which is to "allow Malagasy people in exile for political reasons to be allowed to return to the country unconditionally, including Marc Ravalomanana."
SADC suspended the country two years ago after the current leader, Andry Rajoelina, seized power from elected President Marc Ravalomanana in a military coup.
Ravalomanana has been in South Africa since stepping down in March 2009 amid violent street protests. He faces life in prison in Madagascar after being sentenced in absentia for the killing of demonstrators by his presidential guard during the protests that led to his overthrow.
The troika will have to look into that matter with agency as the island is apparently rumbling again as the stalemate continues, with rumours of new coups. - BuaNews
