Lusophone summit ends

Leaders of the Portuguese-speaking African countries have ended a one-day summit in the Angolan capital, Luanda, with a call to increase efforts at conflict prevention and boost economic ties between the five Lusophone nations.

In a statement, to be known as the Luanda Declaration, the leaders also agreed on a joint programme in the fields of health and education.

The summit was the first time leaders of Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau and Sao Tome had come together for nearly ten years.

Opening the meeting President dos Santos of Angola said a regional and international effort was needed to safeguard peace, security and sovereignty.

The grouping was formed shortly after the five nations gained independence from Portugal in 1975.