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| Oil and gas discovered in Zambia | Oil and gas discovered in Zambia |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Zambia has announced its first discoveries of oil and gas reserves. | Zambia has announced its first discoveries of oil and gas reserves. |
| The discoveries were made in north-western Zambia, an area that also has one of the world's largest reserves of copper. | The discoveries were made in north-western Zambia, an area that also has one of the world's largest reserves of copper. |
| President Levy Mwanawasa said that samples from 12 sites have proved positive in tests conducted in Germany. | President Levy Mwanawasa said that samples from 12 sites have proved positive in tests conducted in Germany. |
| Exploration had been carried out for the past two years, as part of efforts to diversify the economy away from copper exports. | Exploration had been carried out for the past two years, as part of efforts to diversify the economy away from copper exports. |
| 'Strengthen the economy' | 'Strengthen the economy' |
| Mr Mwanawasa said the government would now appoint a special cabinet committee to select foreign oil firms to conduct comprehensive exploration. | Mr Mwanawasa said the government would now appoint a special cabinet committee to select foreign oil firms to conduct comprehensive exploration. |
| President Mwanawasa was recently re-elected | President Mwanawasa was recently re-elected |
| "These results confirm the presence of oil and gas in the sub-surface of the two districts of Chavuma and Zambezi," he said. | |
| He said he hoped they could also look for oil in other parts of the country. | He said he hoped they could also look for oil in other parts of the country. |
| "It is hoped that the country will see more exploration and extraction activities for oil and gas in different parts that would strengthen the country's economy," said Mr Mwanawasa. | "It is hoped that the country will see more exploration and extraction activities for oil and gas in different parts that would strengthen the country's economy," said Mr Mwanawasa. |
| The president won a second term in office in September, having campaigned on his economic record. | The president won a second term in office in September, having campaigned on his economic record. |
| Western donors have praised him for boosting economic growth above 5% and attracting foreign investments, helped by his anti-corruption campaign. | Western donors have praised him for boosting economic growth above 5% and attracting foreign investments, helped by his anti-corruption campaign. |
| Yet Mr Mwanawasa's main rival for the presidency, Michael Sata, alleged that he was cheated of victory. |