PSC/PR/COMM/2.(CCXCVII)
Page 1
COMMUNIQUE OF THE 297TH MEETING
OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL
The Peace and Security Council of the Africa Union (AU), at its 297th meeting held on 20
October 2011, adopted the following decision on the situation in Libya:
Council,
1. Takes note of the communication made by the Commission on the latest developments in
Libya;
2. Recalls all its earlier communiqués on the situation in Libya, as well as the communiqué
adopted by the AU High‐Level ad hoc Committee on Libya, at its meeting held in Pretoria, South
Africa, on 14 September 2011, and the statement made by the Chair of the Union, President
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, at the UN‐sponsored High‐Level meeting on Libya held in New
York, on 20 September 2011;
3. Further recalls the assurances formally provided to the AU by the leadership of the National
Transitional Council (NTC) of Libya, stressing: (i) its strategic commitment to the African continent,
(ii) its commitment to give priority to national unity and to bring together all Libyan stakeholders,
without any exception, to rebuild the country, and (iii) its commitment to protect all foreign
workers within Libya, including the African migrant workers;
4. Decides, in view of the above and taking into account the uniqueness of the situation in
Libya and the exceptional circumstances surrounding it, and without prejudice to the relevant AU
instruments, to authorize the current authorities in Libya to occupy the seat of Libya in the AU and
its organs;
5. Authorizes the Chairperson of the Commission to take the required steps for the early
establishment of an AU Liaison Office in Tripoli, to be headed by a Special Representative, to
assist, in cooperation with the United Nations, the League of Arab States and other stakeholders,
in the efforts aimed at stabilizing the situation in Libya, promoting national reconciliation and
inclusivity and facilitating the transition process towards democratic institutions, building on the
relevant provisions of the AU Roadmap;
6. Reiterates the AU’s deep concern with the proliferation of weapons originating from Libyan
military depots and their impact on regional security and stability, notes with satisfaction the
growing realization, within the international community, of the gravity of the threat thus posed,
and requests the Commission to work with the United Nations and all countries concerned and
relevant partners towards the early convening of a regional conference in order to facilitate
regional coordination and cooperation and related efforts;
7. Urges the Libyan authorities to spare no efforts in ensuring the safety and security of the
African migrant workers, and appeals to the member states and partners to cooperate with the
Commission towards the early holding of a pledging conference to mobilize resources for the
socio‐economic reintegration of the migrant workers into their countries of origin;