Sirte summit calls for two permanent seats in the Security Council

President Mubarak returned home yesterday after presiding over Egypt's delegation to the African Union summit which was held in the Libyan city of Sirte in presence of a large number of the heads of state and governments of the African Union.

At the end of the summit, the African leaders issued the declaration of Sirte in which the draft resolutions submitted by the Executive Council of the African Union on a number of problems the African Continent was facing.

On the problem of refugees and the displaced, the African leaders expressed their concern over continuation of the problem and failure to protect the refugees.

They appreciated countries hosting refugees in accordance with a 1969 agreement by the Organization of African Unity, the AU's predecessor, which governed certain issues pertaining to refugee problems.

They called on donor countries and partners to double efforts to help African refugees and urged the UN High Commission for Refugees to continue programs and efforts in accordance with refugee-related resolutions and recommendations.

As for Egypt's offer to host the main headquarters of the African Council for Scientific Research and Technology, the African leaders expressed satisfaction with the Egyptian offer. The African leaders also welcomed Egypt's offer to host the 25th summit of the African-French summit in 2009.

The resolutions also welcomed Egypt's proposal to set up an African satellite channel and its readiness to extend technical help necessary for the channel.

The African leaders praised Sharm el-Sheikh Understandings between the Palestinians and Israelis to stop violence as a first step towards implementation of the roadmap.

The African leaders expressed their conviction of the need for reforming the United Nations, stressing the need for having two permanent seats for Egypt in the Security Council.

They stressed the importance of taking a unified stance for achieving sustainable development, maintaining security and preventing conflicts in the continent as well as bolstering democratic courses and establishments.

They also stressed the importance of equality between women and men, empowerment of women and combating poverty.