Libya Crisis Splits AU

The African Union has refused to explicitly recognised Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC), in a setback for Libyan rebels who have alreadybeen recognised as the legitimate government by more than 40 countries.
Instead, the AU on Friday called for an inclusive transitional government in the North African state that would also involve officials from MuammarGaddafi's side.
"(The) council calls for the formation of an inclusive transitional government, the establishment of a constitutional and legislative framework for the democratic transformation of Libyaas well as for support towards the organisation of elections and a national reconciliation process," Ramtane Lamamra, the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, saidfollowing a meeting of the body's Emergency Peace and Security Council in Addis- Ababa, Ethiopia.
"(The council) strongly reaffirms that the AU stands with the people of Libya and encouragesall the parties in Libya tocome together and negotiate a peaceful process that would leadto democracy," he said.
Jacob Zuma, South Africa's leader, said the AU would not recognise the NTC as the legitimate government as long as fighting continued in Libya.
"If there is fighting, there is fighting. So we can't stand here and say this is the legitimate (government) now. Theprocess is fluid. That's part of what we informcountries - whether there is an authority to recognise," Zuma said.
Officials at the talks said the 15-member emergency council was split almost in half between countries thathave recognised the NTC and countries who have not.
"The AU peace and security council is weighted with countries who have backed Gaddafi in the past or owe him favours. They will not recognise the NTC," onesenior Western diplomat with knowledge of negotiations, said.
The NTC declared itself the sole legimitate representative of Libyan people after ousting Gaddafi as Libya's legitimate government and is currently seeking billionsof dollars of seized Libyan assets to be unfrozen to help in rebuilding Libya.