International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane arrived in New York where she and other African Union representatives will be briefing the United Nations on the Libyan crisis, her department said.

"South Africa, working with Nigeria and Gabon, as the three African non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council... earlier proposed that a meeting of the council be convened on June 15 to receive this briefing from the African Union Committee on Libya," said spokesman Clayson Monyela.

The African ministers will brief the council on the AU road map for Libya in an attempt to find "common ground on a political track," he said.

"There is general agreement among all Council members that a political rather than a military solution is the only way in which durable peace can be achieved in Libya."

Monyela said the council was expected to adopt an outcome document in the form of a Security Council Presidential Statement (PRST).

"Such a PRST, it is anticipated, will seek to re-affirm the essential elements of resolution 1973 pertaining to the protection of civilians and stressing the need for a political solution."

Nkoana-Mashabane will return to South Africa on Friday.