Mbeki in Washington

The South African President, Thabo Mbeki, begins an official visit to Washington today -- his first to the United States as head of state.

Officials say the main purpose of his talks is to increase economic and political cooperation between the US and South Africa, which is the strongest economic and military power in Africa.

However, a BBC correspondent in Johannesburg says Mr Mbeki is likely to face questions over his recent controversial decision to open a debate questioning the link between HIV infection and AIDS. South Africa has the fastest rate of new HIV infections in the world. Discussions are also expected to focus on the political crisis in South Africa's neighbour Zimbabwe, where violent occupations of land owned by white farmers has alarmed foreign investors, threatening economic growth in the entire region.

Mr Mbeki's visit to Washington is the second leg of an international tour which began in Britain.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service