CAIRO: Libya will no longer host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017.

A Libyan delegation led by the country’s Sports Minister and football federation president stated the decision in a meeting with CAF president Issa Hayatou because of the unstable security situation in the country.

The Libyan withdrawal adds to the growing sense of confusion within the African following the cash wrangles of three nations at the World Cup in Brazil, a series of matchfixing scandals, the internal battles within the Nigerian federation and the effects of the escalating ebola crisis.

CAF secretary-general Hicham El Amrani has informed all 54 member associations and reopened bids for the 2017 finals.

His letter said: “The designation of the Host for this competition will be made according to the statutory provisions of CAF, especially in conformity with articles 27 to 47 of the Regulations Governing the Application of CAF Statutes.

“The CAF headquarters in Cairo will receive applications until Tuesday September 30.”

In addition to the government guarantee, and considering the limited time left for the organization of the 2017 edition, the CAF Executive Committee will select a host country whose dossier guarantees that accommodation, transportation and hotels facilities, as well as training sites and stadiums already exist.

The designation of the host country will be made at a meeting of the Executive Committee in 2015.

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