Mandela: First meeting with Blair as PM

Mandela Meets Blair

Mr Mandela was greeted by schoolchildren as he arrived in Downing Street. They came from Avonmore Primary School in Hammersmith, west London, which Mr Blair visited on Monday, and from Sudbourne Primary School in Brixton, south London, which the Prime Minister visited a few weeks ago.

Mr Mandela, dressed in a grey suit rather than one of his trademark colourful silk shirts, shook hands with the children and signed autographs.

The two men were due to speak about matters of mutual concern. One issue the president may raise is that of aid pledged to South Africa by the European Union following the dismantling of apartheid, which has so far been unforthcoming.

Mr Mandela met Mr Blair when he was Opposition leader on his state visit to the UK last year, when the President gave a special address to both Houses of Parliament.

The president is in Britain with Graca Machel - the woman who has replaced his ex-wife Winnie - amid suggestions he is to marry her.

Mrs Machel, the widow of the Mozambique president Samora Machel, accompanied Mr Mandela to a private tea with the Queen at Buckingham Palace on the day of their arrival.

Mrs Machel is an international ambassador for children's rights and has worked for the United Nations on a study of war and its affects on children.