The leaders of the African Union (AU) have vowed at the end of the 33rd summit in Addis Ababa to push forward the peace process in Libya, in an indication that the union wants a bigger role in resolving the continent's crises, AFP reported.

AFP added that the AU's Peace and Security Council Chief, Smail Chergui, offered assistance to revive Libya's faltering UN-led peace process.

"It's the UN itself which needs us now. It's time to bring this situation to an end. The two organisations should work hand in hand for that goal," Chergui added, referring to the AU's efforts to assist the UN in Libya.

Chergui said the AU could support peace if a cessation of hostilities agreement is finally signed, declaring the AU wanted to be part of an monitoring mission to ensure any deal is respected in Libya.

"This is an African problem, and we have a certain sense that maybe others do not have," Chergui said, in what appeared to be a positive response to the calls of several African leaders to have a bigger role for the AU in Libya.

Meanwhile, the AU leadership complained earlier about being overlooked in Libya-related peacemaking efforts, which had been led primarily by the UN and heavily involved European nations.

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Saturday said he backed up the initiative to hold a reconciliation conference that was announced by the AU in late January in a summit in Brazzaville, Congo.