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G8 under pressure on Africa aid G8 leaders 'make $60bn Aids deal'
(about 3 hours later)
World leaders will turn their attention to Africa on the final day of the G8 summit in Germany as they face pressure to honour aid commitments made in 2005. Leaders of the G8 nations have pledged to spend $60bn (£30bn) fighting Aids in Africa, an official said on the final day of the group's summit in Germany.
Six African leaders will attend, including Nigeria's newly elected President Umaru Yar'Adua. The deal is to be formally announced as world leaders turn their attention to Africa to conclude the summit.
Leaders of the G8 nations are expected to announce a $60bn (£30bn) pledge to tackle Aids, malaria and tuberculosis. They are under pressure to honour aid commitments made in 2005. It is thought the US will account for half the $60bn.
Germany's development minister gave news of the pledge on state ZDF TV before talks between the G8 leaders.
On Thursday, G8 leaders agreed to seek "substantial" cuts in emissions in an effort to tackle climate change.On Thursday, G8 leaders agreed to seek "substantial" cuts in emissions in an effort to tackle climate change.
Meanwhile, US president George Bush was said to be suffering from a stomach complaint, and held a Friday morning meeting with France's Nicholas Sarkozy in his suite rather than in the planned conference room.
US officials said that the president's planned trip to Poland later was still going ahead, despite Mr Bush being "under the weather".
'Restore faith''Restore faith'
Member nations are expected to reaffirm commitments made at the 2005 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, when they pledged to double development funding by 2010.Member nations are expected to reaffirm commitments made at the 2005 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, when they pledged to double development funding by 2010.
Chancellor [Angela Merkel] has asked us to trust her and we are tempted, but we cannot risk being let down by the G8 again BonoChancellor [Angela Merkel] has asked us to trust her and we are tempted, but we cannot risk being let down by the G8 again Bono
Several aid agencies say the G8 has betrayed Africa by not living up to the commitments made at Gleneagles.Several aid agencies say the G8 has betrayed Africa by not living up to the commitments made at Gleneagles.
"G8 leaders have just over 24 hours to restore faith in a promise that represents life or death for millions of people across the world," Stop Aids Campaign co-ordinator Steve Cockburn told Reuters news agency."G8 leaders have just over 24 hours to restore faith in a promise that represents life or death for millions of people across the world," Stop Aids Campaign co-ordinator Steve Cockburn told Reuters news agency.
Celebrity campaigners such as rock stars Bono and Bob Geldof have been lobbying individual leaders at the summit, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.Celebrity campaigners such as rock stars Bono and Bob Geldof have been lobbying individual leaders at the summit, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
"The chancellor has asked us to trust her and we are tempted, but we cannot risk being let down by the G8 again," Bono said."The chancellor has asked us to trust her and we are tempted, but we cannot risk being let down by the G8 again," Bono said.
Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua told BBC News he would be seeking better trade deals for Africa and increased efforts to resolve the crisis in Darfur. Six African leaders will attend the summit on Friday, including Nigeria's newly elected President Umaru Yar'Adua.
Mr Yar'Adua told BBC News he would be seeking better trade deals for Africa and increased efforts to resolve the crisis in Darfur.
Bono and Bob Geldof have been campaigning at the summitBono and Bob Geldof have been campaigning at the summit
"We expect an increased partnership, increased share of free trade to African nations, an increased participation of the international community in resolving crises within the African continent - especially the Darfur crisis and the crisis in Somalia," he said."We expect an increased partnership, increased share of free trade to African nations, an increased participation of the international community in resolving crises within the African continent - especially the Darfur crisis and the crisis in Somalia," he said.
Most campaigners acknowledge that significant progress has been made since Gleneagles, says the BBC's James Robbins in Heiligendamm.Most campaigners acknowledge that significant progress has been made since Gleneagles, says the BBC's James Robbins in Heiligendamm.
But millions of people will be hoping these talks will build on Thursday's climate change deal with another advance - this time for the poorest in Africa, says our correspondent.But millions of people will be hoping these talks will build on Thursday's climate change deal with another advance - this time for the poorest in Africa, says our correspondent.
'Step forward''Step forward'
On Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the G8 would negotiate within a UN framework to seek a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol by the end of 2009.On Thursday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the G8 would negotiate within a UN framework to seek a replacement for the Kyoto Protocol by the end of 2009.
Global greenhouse gas emissions must stop rising, followed by substantial global emission reductions G8 statement Reaction to climate deal In pictures: Anti-G8 protestsGlobal greenhouse gas emissions must stop rising, followed by substantial global emission reductions G8 statement Reaction to climate deal In pictures: Anti-G8 protests
No mandatory target was set for the emissions cuts, but Mrs Merkel's preference for a 50% cut by 2050 was included in the statement.No mandatory target was set for the emissions cuts, but Mrs Merkel's preference for a 50% cut by 2050 was included in the statement.
Developing nations should also cut emissions, the leaders agreed.Developing nations should also cut emissions, the leaders agreed.
Announcing the climate change deal, Mrs Merkel described it as a "significant and important step forward".Announcing the climate change deal, Mrs Merkel described it as a "significant and important step forward".
"We agreed... that CO2 emissions must first be stopped and then followed by substantial reductions," she said."We agreed... that CO2 emissions must first be stopped and then followed by substantial reductions," she said.
Elsewhere at the summit, US President George W Bush met Russian President Vladimir Putin against a backdrop of disagreements over US plans for missile defence.Elsewhere at the summit, US President George W Bush met Russian President Vladimir Putin against a backdrop of disagreements over US plans for missile defence.
Mr Bush said the pair had had a "constructive" meeting, in which Mr Putin suggested using a radar station in Azerbaijan instead of facilities elsewhere in Europe.Mr Bush said the pair had had a "constructive" meeting, in which Mr Putin suggested using a radar station in Azerbaijan instead of facilities elsewhere in Europe.