Bush makes final Africa stop in Liberia

President George W. Bush has arrived in Liberia, where he will pledge support for the country's efforts to rebuild after a civil…

President George W. Bush has arrived in Liberia, where he will pledge support for the country's efforts to rebuild after a civil war.

The plane carrying Mr Bush and wife Laura landed at Monrovia's international airport on the fifth and last stop of a tour by the US leader of the continent.

It was the first visit in 30 years by a US president to Liberia, Africa's first republic founded by freed slaves from America in 1847.

During his one-day visit, Mr Bush will hold talks with President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who took office in 2006 as Africa's first elected female leader.

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With its strong links to America, Liberia has long regarded the United States as its "big brother". During the Cold War, it served as the CIA's main listening post in Africa.

Liberia is the final stop of a five-nation tour of Africa by Mr Bush, who in the last year of his presidency is seeking to highlight foreign policy success stories backing health, education and good governance projects on the continent.