Lula arrives for US talks

Brazilian president-elect Luis Inacio Lula da Silva - known in Brazil as Lula - is in Washington for talks with President George W Bush.

It is Lula's first visit to the US since being elected in October.

Correspondents say the meetings will concentrate on Brazil's economic development and trade issues.

Advisers to Lula, who is from the left-wing Workers' Party, have warned that he will take a tougher stand with Washington than the outgoing Brazilian Government.

But a BBC correspondent says he is also promising to continue many of the economic policies long advocated by the US and the International Monetary Fund.

On Wednesday, Lula is expected to go to Mexico for talks with President Vicente Fox.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service