Degree honour for Mbeki

Tony Blair and Thabo Mbeki discussed policing

South African President Thabo Mbeki is to be awarded an honorary degree at a special ceremony on Friday.

The statesman, on an official visit to the UK, will be made an honorary Doctor of Laws by Glasgow Caledonian University for his outstanding contribution to democracy.

President Mbeki: Honorary knighthood from the Queen

The university was the first UK institution to award an honorary doctorate to former president Nelson Mandela, in July 1996.

"I am delighted that President Mbeki agreed to accept this honorary degree," said Chancellor Lord Nickson.

"The conferment of this award will further cement the university's close supportive and practical links with South Africa."

The presentation will be made at a ceremony at South Africa House in central London.

Tour heads for US

President Mbeki arrived in the UK on Wednesday with a high-level delegation including Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Defence Minister Patrick Lekota, and Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin.

He has already had meetings with the Queen and Prime Minister Tony Blair.

He was awarded an honorary knighthood during a 20-minute audience with the Queen at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.

During his meeting at Downing Street on Wednesday, Mr Blair announced that Britain would train an elite South African police unit, to help the country tackle its spiralling crime rate.

The president exchanged views with a wider audience as he answered questions from around the world on a BBC World Service phone-in, broadcast live in audio and video by BBC News Online.

He is due to leave the UK on Saturday for a five-day tour of the United States.