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Gaddafi tipped as next AU leader Gaddafi tipped as next AU leader
(20 minutes later)
Leaders of the African Union are discussing who to elect as the next chairman, with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi seen as the front-runner.Leaders of the African Union are discussing who to elect as the next chairman, with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi seen as the front-runner.
A BBC correspondent at the AU summit in Ethiopia says it is North Africa's turn to lead the union and Mr Gaddafi is seen to be the obvious choice.A BBC correspondent at the AU summit in Ethiopia says it is North Africa's turn to lead the union and Mr Gaddafi is seen to be the obvious choice.
However, some members of the union are said to be uneasy about his nomination.However, some members of the union are said to be uneasy about his nomination.
In its earlier sessions, delegates called for a lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe.In its earlier sessions, delegates called for a lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe.
The call followed the announcement on Friday that the opposition would be joining a unity government.The call followed the announcement on Friday that the opposition would be joining a unity government.
The summit also debated a Libyan-backed proposal to set up a United States of Africa, but did not take any major steps towards achieving that goal. The summit also debated a Libyan-backed proposal to set up a United States of Africa.
In a compromise, the summit agreed to transform the African Union Commission, which oversees the body, into an AU Authority that would have a broader mandate, Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete said.
"In principle, we said the ultimate is the United States of Africa. How we proceed to that ultimate, there are building blocks," Mr Kikwete said.
Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika said governments wanting greater unity could go ahead on their own, without worrying about splitting Africa.Malawi's President Bingu wa Mutharika said governments wanting greater unity could go ahead on their own, without worrying about splitting Africa.
"Those that are ready can stand and we wish them well and those that are not ready can wait until they assess their positions," he said."Those that are ready can stand and we wish them well and those that are not ready can wait until they assess their positions," he said.
"There is no need to split Africa because we have mechanisms in place. I don't think Africa will be split at all, but let us allow each individual sovereign state to take a decision as they think fit." Uneasy
The BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in Addis Ababa says some African leaders believe Col Gaddafi is to erratic to be chairman of the AU.
Before he arrived at the summit, he circulated a letter saying he was coming as the king of the traditional kings of Africa and he wanted to be seated as the king of kings, our correspondent says.
The chairmanship of the African Union is a rotating position held by heads of state for one year.