Bush arrives in Africa for five-nation tour

George W. Bush has arrived in Africa as part of a five-nation tour aimed at highlighting US support for health, education and democracy in the world's poorest continent.

President Bush and his wife Laura touched down at Benin's Cadjehoun airport to meet President Thomas Boni Yayi before flying on to Tanzania.

It is Mr Bush's second ever visit to the continent, where he is due to visit Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia during the six-day trip.

The five nations have been carefully chosen in a bid to show a different side to the poverty-plagued continent that is usually shown by the world's media.

The leaders of Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia are considered by Washington to be part of a new generation of leaders with democratic credentials who can show the positive potential of Africa.

They are also viewed as showcases of successful U.S. aid projects supporting hospitals, schools and anti-AIDS initiatives.

The Bush administration are keen to highlight parts of the president's foreign policy that have not been scarred by the Iraq war.

The aim of the visit is also to underline America's desire to create a new partnership based on trade and investment and not exclusively on aid handouts.

Before leaving for the tour, Mr Bush said: "The period of aid and paternalism has passed. A joint venture with Africa, that's what the future is all about."

However, the crises in Kenya and Darfur are expected to loom large over his visit.

Mr Bush has already announced plans to send Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to Kenya to support attempts to end the post-election conflict that has killed 1,000 people.

The tour follows last year's creation of Africom, the U.S. military command for Africa, which is tasked with increasing U.S. presence on the African continent - a significant provider to America's oil needs.

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