The British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, who's in South Africa, is having talks today with the deputy president, Thabo Mbeki during a visit expected to be dominated by trade and investment issues.

He's due to sign a number of deals during the trip, including one worth more than one-billion dollars to help modernise South Africa's armed forces.

Mr Blair will also seek support for the British and American position on Iraq; angry Muslim groups have already threatened to hound him throughout the visit.

The Prime Minister is later meeting President Mandela, who retires after elections later this year.