President Michael Sata arrived here yesterday for the African Union (AU) 18th Session of the Assembly of The Heads of State and Government Summit, the first high-level international assignment since the Patriotic Front (PF) assumed power last year in September.

The Zambian Head of State, who is accompanied by First Lady Dr Christine Kaseba, Special Assistant for Press and Public Relations George Chellah, touched down at Addis Ababa's Bole International Airport at 15.10 Zambian time.

He was received by Ethiopia's Labour and Social Affairs Minister Abdul Feta and Zambian Ambassador here Francis Simenda, Zambian Foreign Affairs Minister Given Lubinda, his Permanent Secretary Peter Kasanda and other senior Government officials.

Also on hand to receive the Presidential delegation was Permanent Secretary at Cabinet office in charge of administration Annie Sinyangwe and embassy staff.

Mr Sata was last night scheduled to be hosted for dinner at the ambassador's residence where Zambians resident here were expected to interact with the Head of State.

The AU summit will usher in new members of the AU Commission in elections for the positions of chairperson, deputy chairperson and eight commissioners.

The four-year term for office bearers would come to an end this week with current chairperson Dr Jean Ping from Gabon vying for a second mandate in a two-horse race with Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, current Interior Minister of South Africa.

Deputy chairperson, Erastus Mwencha, from Kenya, who is currently holding the post, is the only candidate for the position in the elections to take place on Sunday.

The polls would be preceded by the debate on the theme of the Summit:

"Boosting Intra-African Trade." The election results will be announced the same day.

The meeting of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) takes place from today to Monday.

Earlier in Lusaka, Mr Sata left at 11:30 hours aboard the presidential jet.

He was seen off by Vice-President, Guy Scott; Finance Minister, Alexander Chikwanda; Defence Minister, Geoffrey Mwamba; Home Affairs Minister, Kennedy Sakeni; senior Government officials and service chiefs.