Mandela goes on tour
2004-03-19 15:24
Johannesburg - Former president Nelson Mandela will visit Saudi Arabia next week as a guest of the royal family before proceeding on to Tunisia and Iran, the Nelson Mandela Foundation said on Friday.
It said Mandela, who has a "close relationship with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and particularly the royal family" was due to "meet the custodian of the two holy mosques, Crown Prince Abdullah."
Mandela, who last visited Saudi Arabia two years ago, would then return to Africa to attend the Africa Infrastructure Board meeting in Tunis on March 24 and 25. He has been chairperson of the board for four years.
Mandela then is due to travel to Iran, where he will be awarded the "highest honour bestowed upon an individual" by the government of Iran, the statement said, without elaborating.
The 85-year-old statesman has won a spate of international awards, including the Nobel prize.