Addis Ababa, Rabi'I 15, 1434, Jan 27, 2013, SPA - Regional hotspots including Mali, Somalia and the Central African Republic are expected to dominate at a two-day meeting of the African Union which began its deliberations here today. Heads of state and government from 54 countries are attending the meeting, according to a report of DPA. Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Nkosazana Clarice Dlamini-Zuma (from South Africa) said she was "optimistic" about making progress, but noted the many "challenges" facing the continent. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine are also attending the meeting. --SPA 14:05 LOCAL TIME 11:05 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1072489