Manila, August 30: Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo was to leave for Libya on Sunday to attend the African Union Summit meeting in Tripoli and the 40th anniversary of the Libyan revolution.
The Department of Foreign Affairs called the trip a “rare opportunity” for Arroyo to meet with leaders of African states to “push for stronger relations.”
It said Arroyo will attend the African Union Summit meeting on August 31. The gathering would discuss peace and security issues, including international anti-piracy efforts in the Somali coasts.
Dozens of Filipino seafarers are being held captive by Somali pirates in various ships in the area. Hundreds more had been taken hostage in the past two years, and some of them were freed after ransom was paid.
While in Libya, Arroyo would also attend the 40th anniversary of the Great Al Fateh Revolution on September 1 and meet with Libyan leader Moamer Gaddafi, who personally invited her.
She would reiterate the Philippines’ gratitude for Libya’s role in brokering a peace agreement between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in September 1996, the DFA said.
The MNLF used to be the largest Muslim rebel group fighting for an independent Islamic state in the southern Philippines until it signed the peace pact giving it control over an autonomous Muslim region.
Officials said Arroyo would also seek support for the Philippines’ bid for observer status in the Organization of Islamic Conference, which has influence over Filipino Muslim rebels.
—-Agencies