Clinton praises 'new Nigeria'

Bill Clinton speaking to Nigeria's elected representatives

President Clinton has begun a four-day African tour with a visit to Nigeria to rebuild ties that were severed during years of what he called "military misrule and corruption".

The US president lavished praised on the country's return to democracy, saying it was a "high honour to visit the new Nigeria - after so many years of despair and plunder".

I pledge American support for the most important democratic transition in Africa since the fall of apartheid,"

President Clinton

The president deliberately avoided visiting the country during an African tour in 1998, to show disapproval of the military dictatorship of General Sani Abacha.

This time he arrived at the head of a 1,000-strong delegation including hundreds of US business leaders hoping to strengthen trade ties with Africa's most populous country.

Mr Clinton, accompanied by his daughter Chelsea, was welcomed at the airport by his counterpart Olusegun Obasanjo.

Presidents Obasanjo and Clinton hand in hand at the presidential villa

There was a 21-cannon salute before the two presidents inspected a guard of honour and traditional dancers in flowing African dress also took part in the welcoming ceremony.

Speaking to the press after talks at Mr Obasanjo's official residence, Mr Clinton pledged US support for "the most important democratic transition in Africa since the fall of apartheid".

Brave start

Mr Clinton went on to the National Assembly building to deliver a speech to a joint session of parliament.

Thanks to President Obasanjo and the people of Nigeria I have the high honour today to visit the new Nigeria

Bill Clinton

He told deputies they had embarked on a brave beginning, but he warned of the danger ethnic and religious divisions in Nigeria.

"Now at last you have your country back," Mr Clinton said. "You have beaten such long odds to get this far, I am certain America will walk with you in the years to come."

The speech was interrupted several times by applause and roars of approval, especially when Mr Clinton praised the assembly's role as a check on the executive.

Earlier, Mr Clinton said he had asked Mr Obasanjo to lobby for an increase in the amount of oil being pumped by Opec, the oil cartel of which Nigeria is a member.

Traditional dancers greeted the president on arrival

Mr Obasanjo agreed, saying: "We will work to bring an element of stability into the price of oil. It is in the interest of all concerned that that should happen."

Following his visit, Mr Clinton will fly to Egypt, where he will meet President Hosni Mubarak to discuss the Middle East peace process.

He is also due to visit Tanzania on Monday, where he is hoping to witness the signing of a peace deal between Burundi's warring factions.

Delicate stage

Mr Clinton's visit to Nigeria is a public show of support for Mr Obasanjo's government, and its reforms, which are currently at a delicate stage.

Mr Obasanjo became Nigeria's first democratically elected leader for more than 10 years following the death of military ruler Sani Abacha in 1998.

Last time Clinton shunned Nigeria because of military rule

However, the government is currently trying to boost its popularity and secure its status by launching wide-scale anti-corruption measures.

Nigeria, which has the highest population in Africa with 123 million people, is also attempting to improve the management and productivity of its huge oil reserves.

US national security adviser Sandy Berger, said this was a make-or-break situation, not just for Nigeria, but for Africa.

"If Nigeria succeeds, this can help lift the whole region towards prosperity and peace," he said.