Kadhafi agrees to stay out of Libya talks: AU panel

Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi has agreed to stay out of negotiations on ending his country’s four-month conflict, African leaders said in a communique after talks Sunday in South Africa.

The African Union panel on Libya “welcomes Colonel Kadhafi’s acceptance of not being part of the negotiations process,” the statement said, without elaborating.

AU peace and security commissioner Ramtane Lamamra read out the communique but refused to take questions.

The communique reiterated the African Union’s call for an immediate ceasefire leading to negotiations toward democracy, as well as an end to NATO air raids against Kadhafi targets.

“The Libyan parties should begin the national dialogue for a comprehensive ceasfire, national reconciliation, transitional arrangements, as well as the agenda for democratic transformation,” it said.

“These measures we are proposing should go hand in hand with an equally determined humanitarian effort,” the statement added.

“In this context, we reiterate the call we made at the extraordinary summit of the AU of May 25, 2011, for the stopping of NATO bombings and the observance of a humanitarian pause.”