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Ban Ki-moon discusses Libya with heads of major regional organizations

27 August 2011 03:42 (UTC +04:00)

The UN Secretary General held a video conference on Friday with leaders of the European Union, the African Union, the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The secretary general’s Special Adviser for Post-Conflict Planning Ian Martin and Special Envoy for Libya Abdel-Elah Al-Khatib, who met with leaders of the opposition’s National Transitional Council (NTC) leaders in Doha, Qatar, earlier this week.

"At this moment of great transition, we must come together with an effective, well-coordinated programme of international action," he said. "All of us now must work together and respond rapidly to requests from the Libyan transitional authorities for assistance."

He said the international community needs to coordinate a single action plan with the UN playing "an essential coordinating role."

"As do other international leaders we have consulted in recent days, they expect the United Nations to play an ’essential, pivotal role’ in the country’s future," the UN News Centre quoted the secretary general as saying.

"In addition to immediate humanitarian assistance, particularly as it relates to medical help, they placed special emphasis on early support for elections, transitional justice and policing, as well as longer-term assistance in socio-economic recovery, rule of law and institution-building," he added.

The UN head also confirmed plans to discuss with the UN Security Council sending an emergency UN mission to help rebuilding Libya. However, he said, the details were not discussed during today’s video linkup.

The uprising against Muammar Gaddafi’s 42-year rule began in Libya in February. An international military operation "to protect civilians" in Libya began on March 19 following a UN resolution.

Rebel forces are controlling large swaths of the country and most of the capital, Tripoli. Libya’s rebel National Transitional Council (NTC) announced on Thursday it would soon start governing the country from Tripoli.

The NTC on Wednesday offered an amnesty, as well as a $1.3-million reward, for anyone who captures or kills Gaddafi.