Gadhafi's pet project, US of Africa, moves forward

ANNESBURG –  As Libya's leader fights to stay in power, the African Union is moving forward on his pet project: the United States of Africa.

The Ethiopia-based organization said Tuesday it is forming the African Union Authority to replace the AU Commission. The aim is to eventually bring Africa under a single unity government with greater powers than the AU currently has.

Moammar Gadhafi has flogged the idea at many AU summits and even canvassed West Africa to garner support. Some leaders have supported the idea but others have urged a slower path to integration.

When asked, AU officials would not comment on Gadhafi's link to the idea. The AU last week created a five-member panel of leaders to mediate Libya's crisis, but did not say whether they will support Gadhafi's quest to stay.