Meanwhile, the AU showed great concern over the impact of soaring food prices to Africa.

The closing ceremony of the 11th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) is held in the Sharm El-Sheikh International Congress Center in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, July 1 , 2008. (Xinhua Photo) 

"This sharp increase (in basic food prices) has had a particularly negative effect on African countries," Jean Ping, chairman of the AU Commission, told AU foreign ministers meeting.

The 53-member body also adopted a resolution supporting the creation of a government of national unity for Zimbabwe through dialogue. The resolution encouraged both sides to live up to pledges to start dialogue to promote peace and stability.

Mouammer al Qathafi, revolutionary leader of libya, poses for photographers in the closing ceremony of the 11th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) in the Sharm El-Sheikh International Congress Center in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, July 1 , 2008. (Xinhua Photo) 

It also recommended that mediation efforts by the regional Southern African Development Community be continued.

The AU, which is headquartered in Addis Ababa, has 53 members. Morocco is the only African country that is not a member.

The bloc was founded in July 2002 to replace the Organization for African Unity established in 1963, aiming at promoting cooperation, development and integration of the African continent.

(Xinhua News Agency July 2, 2008)