Mandela for best relations with Arab states, address Lockerbie issue

South African President Nelson Mandela has praised the rapid growth in relations between his country and the United Arab Emirates in all areas, especially in the economy and trade.

In a press conference he held on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, Mandela also expressed his country's readiness to cooperate with the UAE in the area of "armament."

Replying to a question on his efforts as a prominent international figure in settling the crisis between Libya and the US and Britain, over delivering the two Libyans suspected in the Lockerbie incident for trial, Mandela said he had been working on this issue for a very long time when he was authorized in 1992 to negotiate with then-US President George Bush on this matter.

Mandela added he made consultations with other leaders, including Spanish King Juan Carlos in order to reach an agreement to try the two men in a neutral country. "We had achieved a great progress in this respect, but there is still a small obstacle in our way. It (the problem) is the precondition that if convicted the two men are to serve their sentence in Scotland."

Mandela added he received a telephone call from US President Bill Clinton and British Premier Tony Blair on this matter. He expressed optimism over chances for a near solution to the crisis.

On whether there is any US pressure to limit South Africa's openness with the Arab states, Mandela said that his country's relations "with any region are not instructed by another country, rather common interests."