ADDIS ABABA, March 18 (Xinhuanet) -- The Pan African Parliament of the African Union (AU) was launched here on Thursday in the presence of hundreds of parliamentarians and delegates coming from 53 AU members and international organizations.

    The parliament, which has set itself the goal of spearheading democracy in Africa, will function as the law-making arm of the AU.For the first five years it will have only consultative and advisory powers.

    AU Chairperson Joachim Chissano, Ethiopian Prime Minister MelesZenawi, senior government officials from African countries, members elected to membership of the parliament, as well as delegates from the civil society and several international organizations attended the inauguration ceremony.

    As of Feb. 25, 2004, 38 AU member states have ratified the establishment of the Pan-African Parliament and 30 member states have submitted the list of their five members (at least one of whom is a woman) elected to the parliament.

    After the ceremony, Chissano, also president of Mozambique, willchair the first session of the parliament, which will elect the president and the four vice presidents of the parliament, swear inthe pan-African parliamentarians. Enditem