Libyan Presidential Council Chairman calls for new Pan-African Parliament election

Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed al-Manfi, has stressed the need for elections for a new Pan-African Parliament (PAP) bureau before the next Executive Council session in July.

Mr. Al-Manfi, who is the second deputy chairman of the African Union (AU), stressed the importance of geographical rotation in a way that allows all regions to assume the chairmanship of decision-making bodies, and to share their experience, in a way that contributes to strengthening continental integration.

Speaking at a virtual meeting on Tuesday of the Bureau of the Chairperson of the AU, he called on all African institutions to assume their functions and carry out their mandates properly to serve the peoples of the continent and meet their aspirations.

Mr. Al-Manfi cited, in this regard, the Pan-African Parliament, which is relied on heavily, and the importance of playing a role in implementing the policies and objectives of the AU, through coordination and integration with the rest of the organs of the Union.

A statement of the Libyan Presidential Council said he also touched on the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis on Africa, referring to the challenges and repercussions facing the continent, which is part of a complex network of global challenges, due to the current situation on the European continent, arising, in particular, from the crisis.

He called for priority to be given to diplomatic solutions, dialogue and negotiations, as well as the long-term repercussions, whether on the human level or on food security.

The Libyan official highlighted the continent's vision and strategic plans, as well as the decisions of the AU organs, with regard to the 2022 theme on building resilience in the area of food security and nutrition on the continent.

With regard to vaccines manufactured in Africa, the Libyan Council chairman congratulated the Member States, which were selected as vaccine producing countries by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Mr. Al-Manfi warned against the danger of relying on a small number of companies to monopolise the production and supply of vaccines on the global market, saying that this was unacceptable.

He stressed the need for African countries to have access to vaccine production technology and to contribute effectively to production and distribution.

-0- PANA BY/JSG/BBA/MA 11May2022