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PM continues tour in South Africa PM continues tour in South Africa
(10 minutes later)
Tony Blair has arrived in South Africa, where he is due to give a speech defending his foreign policy.Tony Blair has arrived in South Africa, where he is due to give a speech defending his foreign policy.
On the last leg of his week-long Africa tour, Mr Blair will meet South African President Thabo Mbeki, where Zimbabwe's political crisis will be on the agenda.On the last leg of his week-long Africa tour, Mr Blair will meet South African President Thabo Mbeki, where Zimbabwe's political crisis will be on the agenda.
He will also hold talks with South Africa's former leader Nelson Mandela.He will also hold talks with South Africa's former leader Nelson Mandela.
Mr Blair, who has already been to Libya and Sierra Leone, has denied claims that the trip is a "vanity tour" - dismissing his critics as "cynical".Mr Blair, who has already been to Libya and Sierra Leone, has denied claims that the trip is a "vanity tour" - dismissing his critics as "cynical".
However ferocious the challenges are in this part of Africa it's better to intervene and try to make a difference than stay out and try to cope with the consequences at a later time Tony Blair African media verdict on Blair
BBC political correspondent John Pienaar, travelling with the prime minister, says Mr Blair will try to promote his interventionist style of foreign policy in South Africa.BBC political correspondent John Pienaar, travelling with the prime minister, says Mr Blair will try to promote his interventionist style of foreign policy in South Africa.
And he will "subtly encourage" Mr Mbeki to hasten the departure of Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe.And he will "subtly encourage" Mr Mbeki to hasten the departure of Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe.
Honorary chief
On Wednesday, the prime minister held talks with President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone and Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.On Wednesday, the prime minister held talks with President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of Sierra Leone and Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
'Paramount chief'
Afterwards he said: "However ferocious the challenges are in this part of Africa it's better to intervene and try to make a difference than stay out and try to cope with the consequences at a later time."Afterwards he said: "However ferocious the challenges are in this part of Africa it's better to intervene and try to make a difference than stay out and try to cope with the consequences at a later time."
The UK sent peacekeeping troops during to Sierra Leone in 2000, helping to end the country's civil war.The UK sent peacekeeping troops during to Sierra Leone in 2000, helping to end the country's civil war.
The move made Mr Blair a popular figure in the West African state and he was rewarded on Wednesday when he was made an honorary "paramount chief" - a mark of respect in the country.The move made Mr Blair a popular figure in the West African state and he was rewarded on Wednesday when he was made an honorary "paramount chief" - a mark of respect in the country.
On his last major tour before he steps down as prime minister at the end of June, Mr Blair has already held talks with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.On his last major tour before he steps down as prime minister at the end of June, Mr Blair has already held talks with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
He said that relations between the UK and Libya had been "completely transformed" in recent years.He said that relations between the UK and Libya had been "completely transformed" in recent years.