The Hague, Netherlands - The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam and his Intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanuss,judges announced on Monday.
The court had accused him of crimes against humanity and of ordering attacks on civilians after an uprising against him began in mid-February.
ICC presiding judge Sanji Monageng said there were "reasonable grounds to believe" that Col Gaddafi and his son were "criminally responsible as indirect co-perpetrators" for the persecution and murder of civilians in Libya.
The warrants had been requested by chief ICC prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo in May, who said the three men bore responsibility for "widespread and systematic attacks" on civilians.
Moreno-Ocampo said the court had evidence that Col Gaddafi had "personally ordered attacks on unarmed Libyan civilians and was behind the arrest and torture of his political opponents."
On Sunday, the African Union High Level Ad Hoc Committee welcomed Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's acceptance of not being part of the negotiation process to end the turmoil in the North African country.
The committee held a meeting on Sunday to discuss the developments on the situation in Libya and steps in the implementation of its mandate.
During the meeting, the committee reiterated that only a political solution will make it possible to sustainably settle the current conflict in Libya and welcomed efforts by President Zuma with the Libyan parties and international actors, as well as the outcome of the Cairo meeting held on 18 June 2011.
The committee also reiterated the AU's deep concern at the continuing fighting between the warring Libyan parties and the NATO-led aerial bombardment, noting the dire humanitarian situation created by the situation including loss of life among civilians, forced displacements and shortage of basic necessities.
The committee further appealed to all Libyans to heed the call to allow Africans to continue to provide Africa-owned and Africa-led solutions to their problems.
In a statement, Zuma noted that in spite of the efforts, the crisis in Libya continues to escalate.
"On the ground, there is a military stalemate which we cannot and must not be allowed to drag on and on, both because of its horrendous cost in civilian lives and the potential it has to destabilise the entire sub-region," Zuma said.
He also reiterated the committee's statement that those in authority in Libya and in the TNC have to act boldly and show leadership.
The meeting was attended by Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Yoweri Museveni of the Republic of Uganda, Amadou Toumani Toure of the Republic of Mali, South African President Jacob Zuma, AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamamra, and the President of the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou Nguesso, was represented by that country's Minister of Foreign Affairs.
