Libya hosts Sahel-Saharan states summit

Preparations are underway for a two-day summit of leaders of the economic community of Sahel-Saharan States (COMESSA) beginning Wednesday in Syrte, Libya, reports the Panafrican news agency "PANA," MAP reported.

PANA said, quoting a Libyan diplomat who spoke on condition of anonymity, that Niger will attend the meeting. But he could not say who will lead Niamey's delegation after the assassination of President Ibrahim Mainassara last Friday by elements of his presidential guard.

In a statement issued shortly after the assassination, Col. Moammar Gaddafi urged authorities in Niger to exercise self-restraint and work towards safeguarding national unity and democracy.

He also called on the Secretary-General of COMESSA, Al-Azhari (Libyan) to keep in touch with Niamey, so as to keep leaders of COMESSA informed about developments in Niger.

Libya's external affairs minister, Omar Al-Montasir, held telephone conversations with his counterpart in Niamey Friday night and Saturday morning, concerning Niger's participation in the meeting.

Omar Al-Montasir and deputy secretary general of COMESSA, Adam Togo (Chadian), Sunday attended the funeral of Mainassara.

In addition to Libya which is current chairman, COMESSA groups Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Chad and Sudan.