President Mbeki leaves for South Africa

Accra, Nov. 10, GNA - President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, left Accra last night evening for his country, after stopping over to brief President John Agyekum Kufuor on his mediatory talks in Cote d' Ivoire. President Mbeki's trip to Cote d'Ivoire was to help find a solution to renewed hostilities there.

During a press conference, Nana Akuffo-Addo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who received the briefing on behalf of President Kufuor, said the choice of President Mbeki for the mediatory talks was made during a meeting called by President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria who is also the African Union Chairman.

He said this was because of President Mbeki's good relations with all the factions involved in the Ivorian crisis. The minister said both ECOWAS and the African Union would work together to get Ivorians to go back to the Linas Marcousis and Accra peace accords, which ruled stipulate guidelines for peaceful political discourse.

"We are looking for peace in Cote d'Ivoire and there is the need for additional measures to lower the tension in that country." There has been renewed violence in Cote d'Ivoire after Ivorian war planes bombed a French base in rebel held north, killing nine French soldiers and wounding 23.

President Mbeki was seen off by Nana Akuffo-Addo.