Abacha praises French attitude to Africa

The Nigerian military ruler, General Sani Abacha, has praised France for its attitude towards Africa.

Speaking during a meeting with the French ambassador to Nigeria, General Abacha appealed to France to promote greater understanding of developments in Nigeria within the European Union.

The EU imposed limited sanctions on Nigeria after nine minority rights activists were executed in 1995.

The French ambassador, Philippe Peltier, said a delegation of leading French businessmen would be visiting Nigeria later this year.

He also said more French-language centres would be opened throughout the country.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service