PRESIDENT ALPHONSE MASSAMBA-DEBAT OF CONGO-BRAZZAVILLE ARRIVED IN BAMAKO, THE MALI CAPITAL, YESTERDAY (WEDNESDAY) ON THE FIRST STAGE OF AN OFFICIAL TWO-WEEK TOUR THAT WILL TAKE HIM TO SEVERAL WEST AFRICAN STATES.

PRESIDENT MASSAMBA-DEBAT ARRIVED IN BAMAKO BY AIR FROM NIAMEY IN NIGER, WHERE HE'D ATTENDED THE SUMMIT MEETING OF THE AFRO-MALAGASY COMMON ORGANISATION.

THE PRESIDENT OF MALI, M. MODIBO KEITA, WAS AT THE AIRPORT TO MEET THE VISITOR, AND JOIN HIM IN INSPECTING A GUARD OF HONOUR.

MEMBERS OF THE MALI GOVERNMENT AND OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE DEFENCE OF THE REVOLUTION WERE ALSO AT THE AIRPORT TO MEET THE CONGOLESE LEADER. M. MASSAMBA-DEBAT WAS ALSO INTRODUCED TO MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS, AND HE SPOKE BRIEFLY TO REPORTERS BEFORE LEAVING THE AIRPORT.

THE CONGOLESE PRESIDENT WILL LEAVE MALI ON SATURDAY (27 JANUARY) FOR NOUAKOHOTI, MAURITANIA. HE WILL ALSO VISIT SENEGAL, GUINEA AND THE IVORY COAST.