ANC CALLS FOR AN END TO BLOODSHED IN LIBYA

The African National Congress (ANC) is greatly concerned at civilian deaths following anti government protests in Libya. We strongly condemn violence against the protesters, which has left thousands of civilians dead.

We call on the Government and the people of Libya to rather seek a political solution in accordance to the will of the people - something that will bring stability to the country, the region and the continent. The ANC appeals, primarily to the Libyan government to end the bloodshed and engage protesting citizens to understand and address their concerns.

Concerned at the current political developments in Libya, we urge the African Union, the United Nations and the international community to constructively engage the government and the people of Libya to find a solution to avert what has led to the unprecedented deaths of so many civilians in that country. 

We wish to reiterate that it has been the ANC stance that stability in our continent is paramount to the success of our political project to consolidate the African agenda. The consolidation of this agenda includes - among others - a realisation by African leaders that political power is only legitimate if it is derived from the genuine wishes of those who are supposed to be governed.

Statement issued by Ebrahim Ebrahim, Head: International Relations Department, African National Congress, February 23 2011

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