President Rupiah Banda is this evening scheduled to arrive in Libya ahead of tomorrow’s special African Union summit and commemoration of the 40th Libyan Revolution that brought President Muammar Gadaffi to power.

Zambia’s Ambassador to Libya, Mulondwe Muzungu said the President is expected to arrive at Mattiga military airport in the outskirts of Libyan capital, Tripoli at about 23:00 hours.

Mr Muzungu said that the summit is a follow up to the AU summit held here in July 2008 at which it was decided to hold a special summit no ongoing conflicts in Africa.

Briefing the advance party led by Foreign Affairs minister, Kabinga Pande, Mr Muzungu said the special summit has coincided with the 40th Al Fateh Revolution in which President Gadaffi to power in 1969.

The special summit would be preceeded by a series of workshops on peace and conflicts in Africa with Forein Affairs minister, Kabinga Pande chairing the one on the great lakes region this morning.

The workshops would culminate into the executive council meeting of African Foreign affairs ministers to prepare the ground for tomorrow’s heads state special summit.

Mr Muzungu also disclosed that the Libyan government has invited a contingent of 55 troops from the Zambia Army to participate in the grand parade to celebrate the revolution slated for Tuesday this week.

He commended President Banda for accepting the invitation to participate in both the AU special summit and the 40th Al Fateh Revolution anniversary.

Foreign affairs minister, Kabinga Pande said the special summit called by President Gadaffi who is current AU Charprson, is an important step in the ongoing efforts by African leaders to resolve conflict on the continent.

Mr Pande said Zambia is honoured to chair the session on the Great Lakes Region ahead of tomorrow’s summit.