AU demands halt to Libya attacks

NOUAKCHOTT panel: the African Union on Sunday called on Libya to an "immediate cessation" of all attacks, after the United States, France and Great Britain launched military action against the forces of Muammar Gaddafi.

After more than four hours of meeting in the Mauritanian capital, the body also called on Libyan authorities to provide "humanitarian assistance to those in need, " and "protection of foreigners, including African expatriates living in Libya ".

He stressed the need "policy reforms needed to eliminate the causes of the current crisis, " but at the same time called for "restraint" from the international community to avoid "serious humanitarian consequences."

The group also announced a meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on March 25, as well as representatives of the Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference, the European Union and the United Nations to "put in a mechanism for consultation and concerted action "to resolve the Libyan crisis. (AFP)