Blair arrives in South Africa
31/05/2007 09:16  - (SA)  

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Johannesburg - Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair arrived on Thursday in Johannesburg on the final leg of his farewell tour of Africa ahead of his departure from office next month.

Blair, who flew into Johannesburg airport from Sierra Leone, is expected to meet with President Thabo Mbeki and Nelson Mandela during his two-day visit here.

In an email interview last weekend with South Africa's Sunday Times newspaper, Blair said he would "promise" that Africa would remain at the top of Britain's agenda after he steps down and would also call to discuss Mbeki's efforts to mediate a solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe.

"We'll discuss the desperate crisis in Zimbabwe, which is causing such misery for its people and is now having a damaging impact on neighbouring countries," he said.

Deputy foreign minister, Aziz Pahad, said last week Mbeki would discuss with Blair how the outgoing premier could continue efforts to support Africa after he left office.

Blair steps down on June 27 after 10 years in office.

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