ADDIS ABABA, July 7 (Xinhuanet) -- South Africa has been chosen asthe seat of the Pan-African Parliament.

    The decision was made here by the ongoing third African Union (AU) summit on Wednesday.

    According to a decision by the AU Executive Council, the country hosting the headquarters of the parliament, established this year, should be requested to provide furnished and equipped premises for the parliament.

    Competing for hosting the parliament was a two-horse race, between South Africa and Egypt.

    However, the former, a leading role player in the continent's wide ranging political and developmental plans, was widely seen asan ideal location given its strategic pro-African influence in global affairs and infrastructure.

    Pretoria had consistently campaigned throughout the continent and African capitals to secure the right, with former South African National Assembly speaker Frene Ginwala leading the crusade.

    The parliament will be the second influential African organ to be housed in the country, after the secretariat of the New Partnership for Africa's Development, which is based in Midrand, south of Pretoria. Enditem