Mbeki to attend Burundi talks

Johannesburg - President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa will join the Burundi peace mediator, Mr Nelson Mandela, in Tanzania on …

Johannesburg - President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa will join the Burundi peace mediator, Mr Nelson Mandela, in Tanzania on Monday for talks to end the six-year civil war ravaging the tiny country.

Mr Mandela's office said he was due in Arusha, in northern Tanzania, for three days from Monday for the peace talks, at which Burundi's government, rebels and opposition parties are expected. Mr Mbeki only attend only the first day of the talks on Monday.

Mr Mandela (81), appointed chief mediator in December, has invited several world leaders to the talks to bring peace to Burundi, where Hutu rebels are pitted against an army dominated by the Tutsi minority rulers.