Cen-Sad executive council convenes 7th meeting

The Executive Council of the Sahel-Sahara Union (Cen-Sad) is holding its seventh session in Tripoli to discuss the activities of the union and political, financial and security issues.

The council, that opened proceedings Sunday, is also preparing for the union's fourth summit to be held March 6-7 in Syrte, northern Libya.

Secretary of the Libyan committee of African Unity, Abdesslam Triki underlined in an opening address the union's role in establishing peace, unity and security in the continent. He recalled in this respect its initiatives in Chad, Somalia and Sudan.

Triki also surveyed the union's role at the economic and social scales, stressing the importance of creating a Sahel-Sahara Development Bank, and setting up an economic and development council.

Representatives from regional and international organizations underscored the necessity to foster cooperation between the union and their respective organizations and to trade experience in the realms of economic and social development so as to achieve common objectives.

The Sahel-Sahara Union musters 16 member countries, namely Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, Djibouti, Eritrea, Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Central African Republic and Somalia.

It was established in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, in February 1998 for the promotion of peace and stability as well as for rural, social and economic development of the whole region.