Disagreement over the transformation of the African Union (AU) Commission into an Authority has stalled the work of the AU Executive Council, even though the Heads of state and government summit entered the second day in Sirte, Libya, Thursday.
The council, which comprises Foreign Ministers of member states, is expected to make the recommendations to be adopted by the leaders at their summit, which ends Friday.
The Executive Council was originally slated to end its three-day meeting on Tuesday, but deliberations were extended till Wednesday as the transformation issue, proposed by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, became k notty.
Sources at the meeting told PANA the ministers could not reach a consensus on the transformation, which will see the emergence of an Authority comprising a chair, a vice-chair and 10 secretaries with specific port folios.
The proposal by the Libyan leader, who is also the AU Chairman, also includes the inclusion of defence, security and coordination of external relations within the Authority's field of competence.
A number of countries, including Nigeria, are opposed to the immediate creation of the Authority.
The Libyan delegation, which had expected that the proposed transformation would sail through easily, is said to be disappointed at the turn of events, especially the opposition by certain member states.
With the work of the council stalemated over the transformation, a source within the council told PANA that nothing prevents the Heads of State from going ahead to deliberate on the issue and take appropriate decisions , without consulting the foreign ministers.
Sirte - 02/07/2009
Pana
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