Johannesburg - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe will lead a South African delegation to the Second Afro-Arab Summit in Sirte, Libya, the International Relations Department said on Tuesday.
The summit was aimed at enhancing co-operation on the African continent and the Arab world, spokesperson Saul Molobi said in a statement.
The summit was expected to replace the declaration and programme of action on Afro-Arab Co-operation adopted at the First Afro-Arab Summit, held in Cairo, Egypt in 1977.
“This summit testifies that the African and Arab States are committed to revitalising their political and economic co-operation since their first summit in Cairo more than three decades ago,” he said.
South Africa had been invited to participate in Arab League meetings as an observer.
About 66 African and Arab heads of state and government were expected to attend the summit scheduled to start on Wednesday and end on Monday.
Motlanthe would be accompanied by Deputy International Relations Minister Ebrahim Ebrahim, South Africa's ambassador to Libya, Mohammed Dangor, and senior government officials. - Sapa