Libya hails Kenya’s role in the Sudan and Somalia peace processes

NAIROBI, Jan 12, 2005 (Kenyan KBC radio) — Delivering a special message to President Mwai Kibaki at State House Nairobi today, Libyan President Muammar al-Qadhafi special envoy for African Affairs Dr Ali al-Turayki said, Kenya has proved to the world that Africa is capable of solving its own problems. In this connection the special envoy said Libya is ready to assist the two countries during their reconstruction period.

Dr Al-Turayki said Libya is also working towards ending the Darfur crisis pointing out that a workshop is been organized in Tripoli to enable the warring parties to discuss the problem.

On the bilateral front, the special envoy expressed Libya’s interest to establish strong trade links with Kenya saying Libya can benefit from Kenya’s agricultural produce while exporting her oil to Kenya.

President Kibaki and the special envoy also exchanged views on a wide range of development issues affecting Kenya and Libya, where the president said the two countries should focus their attention on improving the economic corporation between them.

They also discussed the role of the African Union in development and conflict resolution. In this regard the president expressed the need for a co-ordinated approach to addressing issues affecting the continent.

He said Kenya supports the establishment of a special force within the African Union to restore peace and order in countries affected by internal conflicts.

On the just-concluded Sudan peace process which culminated in the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement, President Kibaki expressed optimism that the two countries, rather two parties, would work together in implementing it.

Material from the BBC Monitoring Service.