The Presidents of Liberia and Gambia have praised the Portuguese Government for its decision to grant independence to their African territories.

President William Tolbert of Liberia and the Gambian leader, Sir Dawda Jawara, made the statement after signing a treaty of Friendship and co-operation in Monrovia last Tuesday (30 July). President Jawara was on a State visit to the Liberation capital.

Earlier, talks between the two leaders centred on the liberation of the whole african continent from colonialism, recent events involving Uganda, Tanzania and Zambia and support for the liberation movements of Africa.

The leaders also urged the Africans in Rhodesia to persist in their struggle against the Smith regime. They paid tribute to the work of the United Nations and the Organisation of African Unity, but added that both organisations should be more functional and responsive to the needs of the people they serve.

The Liberia-Gambia treaty covers trade, tourism and an exchange of technical skills.