Pretoria - African leaders, including President Jacob Zuma, are locked in a crucial meeting in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to decide on, among other things, the recognition of the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) in the event that Colonel Muammar Gaddafi is ousted from power.
As the AU leaders decide on the contentious question, there will be deep divisions within the 54 AU member states, as some countries like Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal and Cote d'Ivoire have formally recognised the NTC as Libya's legitimate government.
This is despite the AU roadmap, developed by the High Level Ad-Hoc Committee on Libya, that calls for an inclusive political dialogue between the rebels and the government of Gaddafi.
Today, the AU leaders will seek to insert the roadmap for Libyan peace and democracy into discussions about a future government for that country.
In the past, the Ad-Hoc Committee on Libya tried unsuccessfully to persuade Gaddafi and the rebels to agree to accept the AU roadmap, which also called for a ceasefire between the adversaries and negotiations on democratic reforms.
The roadmap says the way forward 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.
This week, Tripoli fell to the TNC fighters, backed by Nato aerial bombardments and with possibly other military assistance.
Gaddafi's whereabouts are still unknown, despite rebels putting a bounty of about $1.67 million on Gaddafi's head, dead or alive.
The rebel troops on Wednesday took control of the Mazraq al-Shams army base in Libya's port city of Zuara, some 60 km from the Tunisian border.
In an audio message purportedly of Gaddafi, that was released Thursday, Gaddafi has urged his remaining forces to take to the streets in his message.
"Fill the streets and the squares. Don't be afraid of the raids," he said.
The six-month-long civil war has completely paralysed the Libyan economy, ruined its lifeline oil industry, split the country between its West and East, unleashed tribal forces and left a heavy toll of casualties.
