Media Statement: South Africa recognizes the National Transitional Council.

The South African government notes and welcomes the decision of the African Union to “recognize the National Transitional Council (NTC) as the representative of the Libyan people”. The pronouncement by the Chairperson of the African Union H.E Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasongo, President of Equatorial Guinea followed a briefing from the Ad Hoc Committee of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) regarding the developments in Libya. The briefing was based on the outcomes of the meeting of the AUPSC held in Addis Ababa on the 26 August 2011 and the meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee on Libya held on 14 September 2011 in Pretoria.

At both meetings, the African Union encouraged the Libyan stakeholders to form an all-inclusive transitional government that would work towards the promotion of national unity, reconciliation and democracy and urged the National Transitional Council (NTC) to protect all foreign workers, including African Union workers.

The leadership of the National Transitional Council, in its letter to the Chairperson of the Commission on 5 September 2011, provided assurances stressing their commitment: 1) to the African Continent; 2) to give priority to national unity and to bring together all Libyan stakeholders, without any exception, to rebuild the country; and 3) to protect all foreign workers within Libya, including the African migrant workers. These commitments were in line with the provisions of the AU Roadmap.

The African Union’s decision was taken collectively after consultations.

Accordingly, the South African Government, hereby announces that it recognizes the National Transitional Council (NTC) as the representative of the Libyan people as they form an all-inclusive transitional government that will occupy the Libyan seat at the African Union.

It should be stressed that South Africa, through the AU Ad Hoc Committee, remains ready to offer its full support in this respect and to the overall efforts to stabilize the situation, promote democracy and reconstruction; and encouraged the Chairperson of the Commission to expeditiously take all steps required for the AU to play an active role in the ongoing efforts in Libya, in line with relevant PSC decisions.

The Government of South Africa would also like to further reiterate its readiness and commitment to work with the United Nations, the League of Arab States, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union, and NATO, to ensure a coordinated support to the Libyan people.

For more information please contact Clayson Monyela: 082 884 5974

OR TAMBO Building
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www.dirco.gov.za

20 September 2011