UK deputy pm to Sierra Leone

The British deputy prime minister, John Prescott, has left for a tour of west Africa which will include a visit to the British military contingent in Sierra Leone.

His visit will come barely a week after the British Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook, was in the capital, Freetown, and correspondents say he will reiterate Britain's pledge for long-term support for Sierra Leone.

Mr Prescott will inspect Britain's front-line troops and the military team helping train Sierra Leone's army.

He will also have talks with the president of Sierra Leone, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, and attend the state opening of parliament in Freetown.

Mr Prescott first goes to Nigeria for talks with President Olusegun Obasanjo and business leaders.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service