President Mbeki returns to South Africa

Pretoria - South African President Thabo Mbeki will today Thursday 21 September 2006 return to South Africa following his successful visit to New York where he addressed the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly in his capacity as Chair of the Group of 77 + China (G-77 + China).

In the wake of President Mbeki's departure Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma assumes the reigns of leadership of the South African delegation to the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

President Mbeki had led senior South African delegations, including Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, to the IBSA Summit in Brazil, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in Cuba, African Union Peace and Security Council Summit as well as a Summit on Côte d'Ivoire in New York.

Accordingly the Foreign Minister will, on the margins of the UNGA 61, hold bilateral discussions with her counterparts from:

• The United Kingdom Margaret Beckett
• Guinea Mamadi Conde
• Finland Ekki Tuomioja
• Mauritania Ahmed Ould Sid'Ahmed, and
• Portugal Luis Armado

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

21 September 2006