UN chief urges Libya political solution, ceasefire

CAIRO: UN chief Ban Ki-moon called on Thursday for a "political" solution and immediate ceasefire in the conflict in Libya, at an international conference hosted by the Arab League in Cairo.

"We call for a political process so that the Libyan people can reach their aspirations," Ban, who co-chaired the meeting, told a news conference at the end of the gathering.

"We reiterate our call for a immediate ceasefire," said the UN secretary general. European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, who also attended the Cairo conference, appealed to Libyan leader Moamer Kadhafi to resign with immediate effect.

"The European Union's position is very clear -- Colonel Kadhafi should step down immediately," she said.

"The only solution to end this crisis is a political one," she added, calling for "a dialogue between all parties that should lead to a transitional period."

The meeting was also attended by the head of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu and African Union Commission chairman Jean Ping.

"This conference aims to examine the solutions and political issues of the Libyan crisis and to coordinate the efforts of these various organisations," Egyptian state news agency MENA quoted Ahmed Ben Helli, deputy secretary general of the Arab League, as saying ahead of the gathering.

A diplomat who attended the meeting and requested anonymity said the AU's plan was "to persuade Kadhafi to step down" and allow his representatives to negotiate on his behalf in a national dialogue after a ceasefire. (AFP)