PSC/PR/BR.(CDXLIX) Page 1 PRESS STATEMENT The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 449th meeting held on 11 August 2014, was briefed by the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the Commission for Libya, Mr. Dileita Mohamed Dileita, on the situation in Libya and the recent consultations he had with the Libyan stakeholders and the neighboring countries. Council took note of the briefing of the Special Envoy and the statement made by the representative of Libya. Council recalled the press statement adopted at its 436th meeting held on 23 May 2014, as well as the press release issued by the Chairperson of the Commission on the situation in Libya, on 30 July 2014. Council welcomed the steps taken by the Chairperson of the Commission in pursuance of its press statement of 23 May 2014, notably the appointment of an AU Special Envoy, in the person of Mr. Dileita Mohamed Dileita, and the visits he undertook, from 10 to 26 July 2014, to Libya and other countries in the region, to consult with all concerned actors on how best to address the serious crisis facing Libya and expedite the completion of the ongoing transition. Council looks forward to the early completion of the consultations of the Special Envoy and the submission by the Chairperson of the Commission of concrete proposals on an enhanced African support to Libya, for consideration by a ministerial meeting of the Peace and Security Council, as agreed to at its 436th meeting. Council commended the countries of the region for their efforts aimed at assisting the Libyan stakeholders to overcome, through an inclusive dialogue, the serious challenges facing their country. In this respect, Council welcomed the holding, in Hamammet, Tunisia, on 13 and 14 July 2014, of the first meeting of the Ministerial Panel on Libya, established following consultations involving the neighbouring countries (Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Niger, Tunisia and Sudan) and the AU Commission, in Malabo, on the margins of the 23rd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union. Council noted with satisfaction the establishment of two Committees dealing with political and security issues, coordinated by Egypt and Algeria, respectively. Council, reaffirming the central role of the region, which shoulders the burden of the crisis in Libya, urged the larger international community, including the United Nations, to fully support the regional efforts. Council reiterated AU’s deep concern at the prevailing situation, marked by continued confrontation between armed groups and militias, particularly in Benghazi and Tripoli, with the resulting loss of lives and senseless destruction of property and public infrastructure. Council called for an immediate ceasefire and urged for the holding of a national dialogue involving all Libyan stakeholders. Council welcomed the holding of the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives, in Tobruk, on 4 August 2014, following the announcement, on 21 July 2014, of the results of the legislative elections held on 25 June 2014, and reiterated AU’s support to the transitional institutions. Council agreed to keep the situation in Libya under periodic review.