Syrte Declaration for the establishment of the African Union

Well-informed African sources said that the Syrte Declaration, which was submitted on Wednesday night to the special African summit, includes the announcement of an African Union to meet the objectives for the sake of which the Organization of African Unity was established.

The declaration's draft stresses that this union is built on main principles, foremost being equality among the member states in this union; adherence to defend the African continent by sea, land and air; settling disputes among the organization's member states by appropriate means; banning the use of force, threats or intervention in the internal affairs of any member state; and collective self-reliance as a framework for the union, covering all political, defense, security, economic and cultural areas.

The Syrte declaration also stresses condemnation of all terrorist acts, with special emphasis on human rights, especially the right to self-determination.

The Syrte draft declaration also includes the announcement of African establishments which are able to revitalize common African action, especially "the African congress," the Summit's Union's summit," the "federal executive council," "the specialized federal executive committees," a "higher African federal court," the "African Monetary Fund," the African central bank and the African Investment Bank.

Meantime, Libyan President Moammar Gaddafi awarded the "Africa's medal" to the African presidents and leaders who are taking part in the special African summit, currently being held in Syrte, in appreciation for their effotrs to maintain the unity and solidarity of the African continent.