The Gambian leader, His Excellency Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr Yahya Jammeh, yesterday afternoon received in audience the Senegalese Foreign Affairs minister, Madicke Niang, as a special envoy of President Abdoulie Wade.

The Senegalese chief diplomat who assumed office not long ago was accompanied to State House by his Gambian counterpart, Ousman Jammeh. Speaking shortly after having audience with the Gambian leader, Minister Niang told reporters that he had conveyed a message of fraternity and brotherhood from President Abdoulie Wade to President Jammeh. "I also introduced myself to President Jammeh as the new Foreign Affairs minister of the Republic of Senegal in order to solicit his advice and recommendations," he told journalists.

The lengthy discussion, according to Foreign Minister Niang provided him the opportunity to get to President Jammeh's advice, saying it will enable him to reinforce the smooth ties existing between Banjul and Dakar. "After having listened to President Jammeh, I was convinced that the two countries will foster continued relations. We have now identified the channels of communication between me and my Gambian counterpart in the reinforcement of the bilateral ties between the two countries," he remarked.

In his capacity as the new Senegalese Foreign Affairs minister, Niang revealed to journalists that the two countries will now notice a new face in the relations between the two countries. "The meeting was an exemplary one from which I have drawn very rich lessons," he stated. " I am on a diplomatic tour in the sub-region," he went on " and I must confess to you that I started with The Gambia just to show how excellent the relations is between the two countries," he indicated.

The Senegalese chief diplomat expressed his resolve to work closely with his Gambian counterpart to make sure that the structures that are in place for the reinforcement of the ties between Banjul and Dakar continues. The visiting Senegalese chief diplomat seized the opportunity to thank President Jammeh for the audience, further assuring a new face of Banjul-Dakar ties.