Photo: Brahima Ouedraogo/IRIN

Northern Mali has long been a trafficking hub

President Goodluck Jonathan last night left Abuja for a three nation visit that will take him to Britain and France after a stopover in Cairo, Egypt.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati said in a statement yesterday that Jonathan will meet with the British Prime Minister, Mr David Cameron, and the French President, Mr Francois Hollande.

Abati said that the President's talks with the British prime minister were expected to focus on the expansion of trade and economic relations between Nigeria and Britain.

He said the two leaders would also discuss issues on enhancement of cooperation between both countries on the war against terrorism. "In Paris, President Jonathan will confer with President Hollande and French Government officials on the ongoing deployment of Nigerian and ECOWAS troops to Mali.

"It is to support the current military action against insurgents and terrorists in Northern Mali," he said.

Abati said that the president would, on his way to London, stopover in Cairo to participate in the conference of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) scheduled to open on Wednesday.

Abati said the president was also scheduled to attend the launching of former President Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation in London on Friday.

He said the president would be accompanied by his wife, Mrs Patience Jonathan, and relevant government officials.

Abati said the president would return to Abuja on Feb. 11. NAN