ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 11, 2016/APO (African Press Organization)/ —
The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, strongly condemns the terrorist attack that was carried out against a police training center on 7 January 2016 in the city of Zlitan, West of Tripoli, killing over 65 people and wounding many others. She also strongly condemns the attack carried out by the so-called Islamic State (IS) affiliates on oil facilities in eastern Libya, on 4 January 2016.
The Chairperson of the Commission expresses the AU’s heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and wishes speedy recovery to all those wounded. She conveys the AU’s full solidarity with the Libyan people and authorities.
The Chairperson of the Commission stresses that these cowardly terrorist attacks are a stark reminder of the need and urgency for the Libyan stakeholders to unite in action against the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism. In this respect, she urges them to rise above narrow interests, in order to ensure the speedy and consensual implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement, including the establishment of the Government of National Accord. This step will create opportunities for stabilizing the security situation, eliminate the root causes of violence and successfully conclude the transition process. She renews the AU’s commitment to do all it can to assist the Libyan stakeholders in this process.
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the AU’s total rejection of terrorism and violent extremism in all their forms and manifestations. She calls on Member States to redouble their efforts towards the effective implementation of the relevant AU and international instruments, including the communiqué adopted by the Peace and Security Council at its 455th meeting held in Nairobi, on 2 September 2014.
