The government of Burundi has described highly-critical comments on the country's peace process by the former South African president, Nelson Mandela , as fair and understandable.

The Burundian Minister for Peace, Ambroise Niyosaba, told the BBC that Mr Mandela's comments were a clear indication that he is committed to helping the country find a lasting solution to its civil war.

Earlier, Mr Mandela told representatives of Burundian government and opposition that they have failed their people by showing a lack of urgency in ending the seven -year conflict.

He was speaking in the Tanzanian town of Arusha at start of a new bid to revive the peace process which has been stalled for over a year.

About two-hundred-thousand people have been killed in Burundi's civil war, where Hutu rebels are fighting against an administration and army dominated by Tutsis.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service