Kufuor to address European parliament?

President Kufuor - The president of Ghana, which is chairing the African Union - is expected to be invited to address the European parliament next year

Other expected to be invited to the Strasbourg assembly are Alpha Oumar Konare, the African Commission president. Also invited are the presidents of Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

When Hans-Gert Pöttering, the speaker of the European parliament, announced which international speakers would address the Strasbourg assembly next year, it was however loaded with more religious than political leaders. The choice of monthly guest is made by the leaders of all the political groups but the speaker has a lot of say.

Pope Benedict XVI will receive an invitation, as will Sir Jonathan Sacks, chief rabbi of the UK. The grand mufti of Damascus, Sunni cleric Sheikh Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, is also on the list.