Libya, Jul. 3, 2009 (Xinhua News Agency) -- The 13th African Union (AU) summit wrapped up here Friday after the AU leaders approved a resolution to end cooperation with the International Criminal Court (ICC) over extraditing Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir.
"(The African Union) decides that in view of the fact that the request by the African Union has never been acted upon that AU member states shall not cooperate pursuant to the provisions of Article 98 of the Rome Statute on the ICC...or the arrest and surrender of African indicted personalities," said a text of the resolution obtained by Xinhua at the end of the AU summit.
On March 4, the Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against al-Bashir for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Sudan's restive western region of Darfur between 2003 and 2008.
The African leaders have also agreed to boost agriculture and food security and to enhance the powers of the AU Commission.
With the theme of "investing in agriculture for economic growth and food security," the summit witnessed intensive discussions among African leaders on how to transform the executive arm of the AU and a number of hot pot issues.
After overnight marathon talks, the African leaders reached a consensus on early Friday morning on the transformation of the AU Commission into new "African Authority," which comprises a chair, a vice-chair and 10 secretaries with specific portfolios.
The transformation, proposed by Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi who is also the AU's rotating chairman, also includes the expansion of the new institution's power over defense, diplomatic and international trade matters.
Libya also expected to host a special AU summit in early September, to coincide with the 40th anniversary of Gaddafi's rise to power of the Libyan "Guide" on Sept. 1, 1969, after the overthrow of King Idriss.
Leaders from about half of the AU's members came to the three- day summit in Libya's coastal city of Sirte, where the proclamation of the AU was signed in 1999.
