Communique: The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 260th meeting held on 16 February 2011, adopted the following decision on the situation in Egypt

AFRICAN UNION

P.O. Box: 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tel.:(251-ll) 551 38 22 Fax: (251-11) 55193 21
Email: situationroom@africa-union.org

PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL 260™ MEETING

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

16 FEBRUARY 2011

PSC/PR/COMM.(CCLX)

COMMUNIQUE

COMMUNIQUE OF THE 260^th MEETING
OF THE PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 260^th meeting held on 16 February 2011, adopted the following decision on the situation in Egypt:

Council:

1. Takes note of the briefings by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, as well as by the Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the AU, on the situation in Egypt;

2. Notes the deep aspirations of the Egyptian people, especially its youth, to change and the opening of the political space in order to be able to democratically designate institutions that are truly representative and respectful of freedoms and human rights;

3. Expresses AU solidarity with the Egyptian people whose desire for democracy is consistent with the relevant instruments of the AU and the continent's commitment to promote democratization, good governance and respect for human rights;

4. Strongly condemns the acts of violence against the demonstrators, which led to loss of human life. Council requests the Egyptian authorities to shed light on these acts of violence and to bring their authors and perpetrators to justice;

5. Recognizes the exceptional nature of the situation in Egypt and takes note of the decision of Mr. Hosni Mubarak to resign from his position as President of the Republic and surrender authority for the exercise of state power to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces;

6. Notes the announcement made and measures taken by the Egyptian authorities for the elaboration of a new Constitution and the organization, within six months maximum, of free, fair, open and transparent legislative and presidential elections, to allow Egyptians to freely choose their leaders and endow their country with democratic institutions;

7. Requests the Commission to monitor closely the evolution of the situation and the transition process, including through periodic evaluation missions, and to provide all necessary support to facilitate the completion of the transition. In the meantime, Council decides to undertake a mission to Egpyt to engage with all stakeholders;

8. Reserves the right, in the light of developments in the transition process and on the basis of the relevant AU instruments, to take any measure that the situation may warrant, with due respect for the legitimate aspirations of the Egyptian people for democracy;

9. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.