Bush begins visit to Africa

US President George W Bush began a five-country journey through Africa today to show that the US has a moral imperative as well as economic, political and national security interests in fighting poverty, disease and corruption across the continent.

The president and his wife, Laura, landed in the West African nation of Benin on a muggy day, walking off Air Force One onto a red carpet.

He was greeted by a military salute by troops in camouflage uniforms and berets. Their stop here was being followed by visits to Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia.