Mandela ends visit to Burundi

The former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, who's mediating in the Burundi peace process, has ended a visit to the country with meetings in the capital, Bujumbura.

Mr Mandela spoke to civil society groups -- professional, business and community associations -- urging support for the all-party talks he is due to host next month in Arusha, Tanzania.

He had travelled back from the central town of Gitega, where he met rank-and-file soldiers of the Burundian army.

During his three-day visit, Mr Mandela also met political leaders and visited political prisoners and resettlement camps. At least two-hundred thousand people have been killed in seven years of civil war in Burundi, where several Hutu factions are fighting the Tutsi-dominated government and army.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service