Annan visits Ethiopia

The Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, has arrived in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on the latest stage of an African tour.

Mr Annan will hold talks with the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Meles Zenawi and is expected to discuss the UN's role in implementing a peace treaty agreed this week between Ethiopia and neighbouring Eritrea.

The treaty, which is due to be signed next week is intended to end a two-year border war, in which tens of thousands of people have been killed.

Mr Annan will also address an international forum on HIV and AIDS in Africa, before leaving for the Eritrean capital, Asmara on Friday.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service