PSC/PR/Comm(LXXIX) Page 1 COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE 79TH MEETING OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL OF THE AFRICAN UNION ON THE SITUATION IN DARFUR The Peace and Security Council of the African Union, at its 79th meeting held on 22 June 2007, adopted the following decision on the African Union – United Nations hybrid operation in Darfur and the extension of the mandate of the African Union Mission in the Sudan (AMIS): Council, 1. Takes note of the report of the Chairperson of the Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations on the African Union – United Nations hybrid operation in Darfur [PSC/PR/ 2(LXXIX)]; 2. Reiterates its respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Sudan and its determination to contribute to achieving an early and lasting solution to the conflict in Darfur; 3. Recalls the existing agreements on the conflict in Darfur, as well as the conclusions of the high-level consultation on Darfur, held in Addis Ababa on 16 November 2006, as endorsed by the communiqué adopted at its 66th meeting held in Abuja on 30 November 2006 [PSC/PR/Comm(LXVI)] and the statement by the President of the Security Council issued on 19 December 2006 [S/PRST/ 2006/55], and the Communiqué by the Council of Ministers of the Government of the Sudan of 3rd December 2006, endorsing both the conclusions of the Addis Ababa high-level consultation and the Abuja decision ; 4. Welcomes the successful outcome of the high-level African Union/United Nations technical consultations with the Government of the Sudan on the African Union – United Nations hybrid operation, held in Addis Ababa on 11 and 12 June 2007, and the acceptance by the Government of the Sudan, following the explanations and clarifications provided by the African Union and the United Nations in their presentation, of the joint proposals on the African Union – United Nations hybrid operation contained in the report of the Chairperson of the Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations; 5. Commends the constructive spirit that prevailed during the technical consultations of 11 and 12 June 2007, in particular the cooperation extended by the Government of the Sudan. Council urges for continued and concerted efforts by all concerned, building on this encouraging development, to promote confidence with the view to facilitating the successful conclusion of the peace process in Darfur; 6. Authorizes the deployment, as soon as possible and for an initial period to be determined after appropriate consultations between the African Union and the United Nations, of the African Union/United Nations hybrid operation on the basis of the proposals contained in the report of the Chairperson of the Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, as explained and clarified during the technical