General Abubakar had talks with the UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, which Mr Blair's spokesman described as positive.

Mr Blair told the Nigerian leader that Britain was encouraged by the progress he had made so far in the field of human rights, but said that more needed to be done.

Since coming to power in June, Abubakar has delighted critics in the West by freeing many political prisoners and promising to restore democracy by the end of May 1999.

A spokesman for Mr Blair said the prime minister was confident the European Union sanctions - which include a visa ban and a bar on sporting links - would be lifted soon, although an arms embargo would remain in place.

"I expect the sanctions to be lifted as soon as possible. I think the events unfolding at home do not warrant sanctions or being suspended from the Commonwealth," General Abubakar told a news conference after the talks.

"I think the European Union and the Commonwealth recognise the sincerity of our moves and I think the next time they meet some of the sanctions will be lifted," he added.

Mr Abubakar will fly from London to Paris and then to New York to address the United Nations General Assembly.

Strained relations since 1993

Relations between Nigeria and the outside world have been badly strained since 1993, when the previous military strongman, General Sani Abacha, annulled presidential elections widely presumed to have been been won by the late opposition leader Chief Moshood Abiola.

General Abacha: Strained international ties

During that period, economic sanctions were imposed on Nigeria and it was suspended from the Commonwealth.

However, General Abubakar, who took over after Sani Abacha's death, has embarked on major political reform, releasing key political prisoners, allowing trade union activity and scrapping his predecessor's much-criticised plans for a transition to democracy.

EU sanctions prohibiting the visit of high-level officials from Nigeria are still technically in place, but they are being ignored for General Abubakar's visit to London.

Hilary Andersson reports from Lagos

Some critics of the Nigerian government have complained that General Abubakar is receiving the red-carpet treatment before he has actually introduced democracy.