AU leaders agree on UN Security Council reform, G8, in show of unity

SIRTE, Libya (AFP) — African states succeeded in overcoming two major sticking points, when they agreed on what form of representation they seek on the United Nations Security Council and what they want from this week's G8 summit of industrialised nations.

"People were expecting that African states would not be able to maintain a united front: this summit has clearly indicated that Africa has risen to the challenge", Said Djinnit, the African Union (AU) Peace and Security commissioner, told reporters, adding that the "strengthening of the African consensus on UN reform" was the high point of the meeting.

Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, in his conference closing speech, said that African states must push that spirit of consensus even further, urging his fellow Africans to "resolutely build a united political, cultural and economic giant: a United States of Africa".

Nigerian President and current AU chair Olusegun Obasanjo reaffirmed during the ...