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African leaders launch Unity
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-07-03 11:15

SIRTE, Libya: African leaders have agreed to a Libyan-driven push to transform the African Union and extend its power.

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The change would morph the African Union Commission into the "African Authority." The draft document adopted at 4 a.m. Friday at the AU summit of heads of states in Sirte, Libya, shows that the new Authority will simplify the AU's structure and greatly extend its power over defense, diplomatic and international trade matters.

The document, obtained by The Associated Press, is viewed as a milestone in Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi's vision for an eventual federal government overseeing a "United States of Africa."