Lagos — British Prime Minister Tony Blair hosted a meeting with President Olusegun Obasanjo and five other African presidents Tuesday on development issues, but set to touch also on last week's suicide attacks in the United States.
The other five presidents are Festus Mogae of Botswana, John Kufuor of Ghana, Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal and Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania.
During the campaign for Britain's general election in June, Blair made it clear that Africa was one of his top foreign policy priorities.
"This meeting was pre-planned as the prime minister has always felt strongly about the African continent and the challenges it faces," a Downing Street spokesman said.
"Of course, he will touch on the events of last week as well," he told AFP.
"He has always shown personal commitment in working to reduce poverty in Africa and allow it to tap into global prosperity," the Downing Street spokesman said.
"This is an opportunity to listen to the African leaders on how they feel and how they think they can work with the more developed countries."
