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Gaddafi tipped as next AU leader Gaddafi elected as next AU leader
(30 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. Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has been elected as chairman of the 53-nation African Union.
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. Col Gaddafi was elected by delegates at the AU summit in Ethiopia.
However, some members of the union are said to be uneasy about his nomination. A BBC correspondent at the summit says Col Gaddafi was seen to be the obvious choice, but some delegates are uneasy about his nomination.
The AP news agency quotes Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa saying Col Gaddafi had already been elected. AU spokeswoman Habiba Mejri-Sheikh said Col Gaddafi was elected "by the heads of state in a closed-door session, for a one-year period".
The former Egyptian foreign affairs minister pre-empted the AU's official announcement during his speech to more than 20 African heads of state on Monday, AP reports. "He is currently addressing the assembly as president, to outline his programme and his intentions," she said.
In principle, we said the ultimate is the United States of Africa. How we proceed to that ultimate, there are building blocks Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete In its earlier sessions, AU delegates called for a lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe. In its earlier sessions, AU 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. In principle, we said the ultimate is the United States of Africa. How we proceed to that ultimate, there are building blocks Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete On Sunday, the summit debated a Libyan-backed proposal to set up a single government - the 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 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."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.
UneasyUneasy
The BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in Addis Ababa says some African leaders believe Col Gaddafi is to erratic to be chairman of the AU. The BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in Addis Ababa says some African leaders believe Col Gaddafi is too 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.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.The chairmanship of the African Union is a rotating position held by heads of state for one year.
Col Gaddafi has previously outlined his vision for African unity.Col Gaddafi has previously outlined his vision for African unity.
He wants a single African military force, a single currency and a single passport for Africans to move within the continent.He wants a single African military force, a single currency and a single passport for Africans to move within the continent.
Last August, a meeting of more than 200 African kings and traditional rulers bestowed the title "king of kings" on the Libyan leader.Last August, a meeting of more than 200 African kings and traditional rulers bestowed the title "king of kings" on the Libyan leader.