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President Thabo Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Wednesday, 26 February 2003, to be on time for the Budget Speech, after leading the South African delegation to the successful Franco-Africa and Non-Aligned Summits held in Paris and Kuala Lumpur respectively.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, was remained behind to lead the South African team to the last session of the NAM Summit which is expected to wind up its business with the adoption of the Kuala Lumpur Declaration. Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on Thursday, 27 February 2003, after holding a series of bilateral meetings with her counterparts from various parts of the world attending the Summit.

The Franco-Africa Summit discussed current efforts aimed at averting war against Iraq; partnership between France and Africa within the context of NEPAD; conflict resolution and prevention, and terrorism and crime.

The NAM Summit on the other hand discussed the revitalisation of the Movement to enable it to face challenges in the 21st century including poverty and under-development; the Middle East conflict and the importance of the multilateral system of governance as our only response to current challenges facing humanity, including the question of Iraq.

In addition, President Mbeki handed over the reigns of leadership of the Movement to Prime Minister Mahatir Mohamad of Malaysia. During its tenure, as Chair of the Movement, South Africa identified poverty as the biggest threat to global society ".

Under the able leadership of President Thabo Mbeki NAM has since succeeded in developing dialogue and a coherent agenda with leaders of the G8 to address the issues on poverty, globalisation and economic development.

Of late, the role of NAM has taken a more strategic role under the leadership of South Africa when for the first time in the history of the United Nations Security Council, it urged this body to have an open debate on any resolution on war against Iraq led by South Africa's representative to the United Nations (UN).

For more info contact: Nomfanelo Kota @ 082 377-7208, Ronnie Mamoepa @ 082-990-4853, Bheki Khumalo @ 083-256-9133, David Hlabane @ 082-561-9428

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs

25 February 2003