This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8022133.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Blair pushes Sierra Leone tourism Blair pushes Sierra Leone tourism
(10 minutes later)
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is visiting Sierra Leone to promote its tourism potential.Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is visiting Sierra Leone to promote its tourism potential.
Mr Blair's office said Sierra Leone was being recognised as an "emerging destination" for tourists.Mr Blair's office said Sierra Leone was being recognised as an "emerging destination" for tourists.
It boasts miles of unspoilt beaches along its Atlantic coast but many potential tourists may be put off by images of its long, brutal civil war.It boasts miles of unspoilt beaches along its Atlantic coast but many potential tourists may be put off by images of its long, brutal civil war.
Mr Blair became a hero in Sierra Leone after sending UK troops there in 2000 and was made a local paramount chief.Mr Blair became a hero in Sierra Leone after sending UK troops there in 2000 and was made a local paramount chief.
The British soldiers played a decisive role in preventing rebels from seizing the capital, Freetown.The British soldiers played a decisive role in preventing rebels from seizing the capital, Freetown.
The Revolutionary United Front rebels were notorious for chopping off the limbs of civilians with machetes.The Revolutionary United Front rebels were notorious for chopping off the limbs of civilians with machetes.
Tony Blair was made a chief for helping to save Freetown from rebels
But Sierra Leone is now slowly recovering from the conflict and hopes to copy its neighbour Gambia as a tourist destination.But Sierra Leone is now slowly recovering from the conflict and hopes to copy its neighbour Gambia as a tourist destination.
On a two-day visit, Mr Blair will also meet President Ernest Koroma and review his own Africa Governance Initiative.On a two-day visit, Mr Blair will also meet President Ernest Koroma and review his own Africa Governance Initiative.
Last year, after a request from Mr Koroma, Mr Blair established a team of nine experts in Freetown to help improve central government and attract private investment.Last year, after a request from Mr Koroma, Mr Blair established a team of nine experts in Freetown to help improve central government and attract private investment.
The visit is Mr Blair's fourth to Sierra Leone.The visit is Mr Blair's fourth to Sierra Leone.
He toured in February 2002 shortly after the end of the civil war; in May 2007 on his farewell tour at the end of his term as prime minister; and in June 2008.He toured in February 2002 shortly after the end of the civil war; in May 2007 on his farewell tour at the end of his term as prime minister; and in June 2008.