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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Blair set for meeting with Mbeki | Blair set for meeting with Mbeki |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Prime Minister Tony Blair is due to hold talks with South African President Thabo Mbeki, on the final day of his farewell tour of the continent. | Prime Minister Tony Blair is due to hold talks with South African President Thabo Mbeki, on the final day of his farewell tour of the continent. |
| The two leaders will discuss climate change and regional issues such as Zimbabwe, as well as the agenda for next week's G8 meeting in Germany. | The two leaders will discuss climate change and regional issues such as Zimbabwe, as well as the agenda for next week's G8 meeting in Germany. |
| Mr Blair, who met Nelson Mandela on Thursday, is on his last big trip before stepping down as prime minister. | Mr Blair, who met Nelson Mandela on Thursday, is on his last big trip before stepping down as prime minister. |
| He hit back at accusations of a "vanity tour", calling UK critics "cynical". | He hit back at accusations of a "vanity tour", calling UK critics "cynical". |
| Mr Mbeki is seen as the key figure in dealing with the regime of President Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. | Mr Mbeki is seen as the key figure in dealing with the regime of President Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe. |
| Speaking on Thursday, Mr Blair said the need for action on Zimbabwe was "urgent" for its people, describing the country's economy as being in "free fall". | Speaking on Thursday, Mr Blair said the need for action on Zimbabwe was "urgent" for its people, describing the country's economy as being in "free fall". |
| 'Retirement club' | 'Retirement club' |
| He also highlighted the problem of Zimbabwean refugees flooding into South Africa. | He also highlighted the problem of Zimbabwean refugees flooding into South Africa. |
| "The impact is being felt by the people inside Zimbabwe, that is creating refugees and that's why it's so important we turn the situation around," he said. | "The impact is being felt by the people inside Zimbabwe, that is creating refugees and that's why it's so important we turn the situation around," he said. |
| On Thursday, South Africa's former leader Nelson Mandela thanked Mr Blair "for his support over the years". | On Thursday, South Africa's former leader Nelson Mandela thanked Mr Blair "for his support over the years". |
| After meeting the UK leader, Mr Mandela said he looked forward to welcoming him to "the club of retiring presidents and prime ministers". | After meeting the UK leader, Mr Mandela said he looked forward to welcoming him to "the club of retiring presidents and prime ministers". |
| Mr Blair will fly back to London later after his four-day final trip to Africa before leaving Downing Street on 27 June. | Mr Blair will fly back to London later after his four-day final trip to Africa before leaving Downing Street on 27 June. |
| His tour also included brief visits to Libya and Sierra Leone. |