Ext/Assembly/AU/Decl.2(Oct.2013) Page 1 DECLARATION ON AFRICA’S SOLIDARITY WITH AND SUPPORT TO LIBYA BY THE EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE UNION We, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, meeting at our Extraordinary Session, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 12 October 2013: 1. EXPRESS our concern on the situation in Libya particularly following the kidnapping of Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, by armed men in Tripoli, on 10 October 2013; 2. STRONGLY CONDEMN this criminal and unacceptable act and express relief at the release of the Prime Minister, few hours after his kidnapping; 3. EXPRESS our solidarity with the Libyan leaders and our support to the legitimate Libyan institutions in their efforts to stabilize the situation in the country, address the other challenges at hand and bring to a successful end the ongoing transition process; 4. STRESS the need for all Libyan stakeholders to seek solutions to their differences within the framework of the existing institutions and a comprehensive process of national dialogue and CALL ON the Libyan people to extend their support to their legitimate institutions; 5. Mindful of the need for sustained support and solidarity with Libya in this challenging time, REQUEST the Commission, building on the initiatives already taken, to take all necessary steps to facilitate a coordinated and enhanced continental support to Libya; in this regard, we CALL ON Africa’s partners to extend similar support; 6. ALSO STRESS the right of Libya to put in trial, in Libya, its own citizens charged with committing crimes, in conformity with Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.419(XIX) adopted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in July 2012.