The Secretary-General met today with H.E. President Idris Déby Itno of the Republic of Chad on the margins of the 18th AU Summit. The Secretary-General encouraged the President to continue to work with all national stakeholders to consolidate security, peace and the democratic process in his country, and in that way help promote opportunities for socio-economic development. The Secretary-General and the President discussed the security and humanitarian impact of the Libyan crisis on the Sahel, as well as the need to convene a regional Summit to develop and adopt a comprehensive strategy to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea. They also discussed the situation in Sudan. Finally, the Secretary-General congratulated President Déby Itno for his recent re-election as the Chairman of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and reiterated the readiness of the United Nations to continue to work with Central African states towards preventing conflict and promoting sub-regional integration.