Clinton, Mbeki bury differences

President Clinton and the South African president, Thabo Mbeki, have pledged to cooperate in tackling Africa's problems, despite recent disagreements between them over the AIDS epidemic.

Speaking before their talks in Washington, Mr Clinton said the United States remained committed to fighting poverty, disease, war, famine and flood in Africa.

President Mbeki, for his part, stressed the need for urgent action to narrow the gap between the world's rich and poor countries.

Mr Mbeki has provoked concern in Washington over his contacts with scientists who question whether the HIV virus is the cause of AIDS. A BBC correspondent in Washington says the White House has also been disappointed over the South African president's refusal to condemn events in neighbouring Zimbabwe.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service