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Security Council to work more closely with African Union, President says

Security Council to work more closely with African Union, President says

The Security Council has agreed to enhance its relationship with the newly created African Union, the President of the 15-member body said today.

The decision came in response to one of a number of recommendations put forward by the Council's ad hoc working group on conflict prevention and resolution in Africa, Ambassador Jeremy Greenstock of the United Kingdom told reporters following closed-door consultations.

Based on a report by the working group's chairman, Ambassador Jagdish Koonjul of Mauritius, the Council had also agreed to a recommendation on the creation of a "Groups of Friends" of particular countries where conflict is ongoing, the President said.

Another proposal called for work on Guinea-Bissau to be taken forward by the Security Council's working group in close cooperation with its counterpart from the UN Economic and Social Council.