Zuma of South Africa leads peace delegation to Libya

A delegation of African leaders, headed by South African President Jacob Zuma, are on their way to Libya in an attempt to mediate the crisis in that war-torn country, according to the South African foreign ministry.

Zuma is reportedly expected to meet personally with Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi as well as Libyan rebel groups in order to establish other truce.

However, other reports claim that Zuma is simply going to Libya to attend a meeting of the African Union (AU), which includes South Africa, Mali, Mauritania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

The South African foreign ministry statement said: The South African foreign ministry said: The committee has been granted permission by NATO to enter Libya and to meet in Tripoli with the Libyan leader. The AU delegation will also meet with the Interim Transitional National Council in Benghazi on 10 and 11 April. Key on the agenda of both meetings will be the immediate implementation of a ceasefire from both sides and the opening of a political dialogue between the two parties.

Zuma will initially fly to Nouakchott, Mauritania on Saturday, then the five African leaders will travel to Tripoli Sunday. Other reports say Zuma and his comrades will visit with Gaddafi in Tripoli on Saturday, and the rebel leaders in Benghazi on Sunday and Monday.

South Africa’s foreign minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has already called for a ceasefire in Libya.

According to BBC, Gaddafi is believed to have some support among African leaders, whom he has given financial assistance to over the decades. It is unclear if Libyan rebel groups have any interest in speaking to the Africans.

South Africa has officially condemned the NATO military campaign in Libya, while it supports the UN-mandated no-fly zone.