The European Union wants to hold an emergency summit with the Arab League and the African Union to discuss the conflict in Libya, the bloc's president said Friday, dpa reported.
The EU and NATO have both identified the Arab League as a key diplomatic player in the unfolding crisis. In particular, some member states say that formal Arab League backing would be a vital precursor to any international military action to prevent atrocities in Libya.
"We call for the rapid holding of a summit between the Arab League, the African Union and the EU," the president of the council of EU member states, Herman Van Rompuy, told journalists in Brussels after an emergency summit with EU leaders.
EU leaders agreed that the bloc will "examine all necessary options to protect the civilian population" in Libya, but that "support from the region" would be a vital prerequisite, he said.
EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton is scheduled to meet the secretary general of the Arab League on Monday.
EU calls for summit with Arab League, African Union on Libya
The European Union wants to hold an emergency summit with the Arab League and the African Union to discuss the conflict in Libya, the bloc's president said Friday, dpa reported.
