Citizens took to the streets to salute the arrival of the Turkish President.

Amidst inflexible security, "balafon" and other drumbeats from the Centre Region welcomed the arrival of the special guest of Cameroon, President of the Republic of Turkey, Abdullah Gül, as he arrived the Yaounde Hilton Hotel yesterday afternoon in the presence of his host, President Paul Biya. The singing and dancing by the population particularly supporters of the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement (CPDM), the colourful decoration of the Hilton Hotel, the red-carpet and the flying of the Turkish flag in front of the hotel gave the ceremony the solemnity it merited.

Two hours before the arrival of President Paul Biya and his guest, various dance groups and CPDM supporters had taken strategic positions along the 20th May Boulevard to welcome President Abdullah Gül and his delegation in their own way. Besides the fact that the flag of Cameroon, Turkey and that of Hilton Hotel was hoisted in front of the Hotel, one could also see a series of Cameroon and Turkey flags flying from the different electricity pools along the 20th May Boulevard signalling the arrival of an august guest. As the population waited they sang and danced to the rhythm of the "balafon" and tam-tam.

The enthusiasm amongst the dance groups intensified at 2:00 pm, when the presidential motorcade signalled the arrival of President Abdullah Gül. Hawkers and onlookers stood by to wave the guest as he passed by. The attention of those in and out of the Hilton Hotel was drifted towards the highway. Women, well dressed in "kabas" made from the CPDM fabric danced and screamed in joy as the car carrying both presidents made its way into the Hilton Hotel. When President Abdullah Gül descended from the car, he was received by the General Manager of Hilton Hotel, Roland Muntzer. President Abdullah Gül was then ushered into Hilton Hotel accompanied by President Paul Biya. His entrance inside Hilton was greeted with applause from dignitaries. Before long, the premises of the hotel were packed with the over 100 Turkish business persons accompanying President Abdullah. After seeing-off President Abdullah Gül at the Hotel, where he is residing, President Biya drove off to the Unity Palace.