Obama to visit Mandela family during South Africa visitJune 29, 2013 - 12:31 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - US President Barack Obama is to meet members of Nelson Mandela's family during his visit to South Africa, the White House says. But officials confirmed that the president will not see the ailing leader himself, who is in a critical conditions in hospital. Obama's Air Force One landed in Pretoria on Friday, June 28 evening, as part of his three-country tour of Africa. He is holding talks with his South African counterpart, Jacob Zuma. The US president has described Mandela as a "hero for the world". Mandela, who is 94, is critically ill in hospital, where he was admitted on 8 June with a recurring lung infection. His ex-wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, said on Friday she felt it would not be right for President Obama to visit him while he was in a critical condition. "I'm not a doctor but I can say that from what he was a few days ago there is great improvement, but clinically he is still unwell," she said. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |