Blair: Time for excuses is over

Tony Blair has returned to Downing Street following his three-day visit to Africa.

During his trip the prime minister pledged that British troops would spearhead an EU military reaction force which will respond in African troublespots.

They will join a 10,000-strong European Union force sent to Africa on peacekeeping missions.

Speaking in Ethiopia on Thursday, Blair said that they will serve as members of "rapidly-deployable battle groups" available for action in Africa by 2006.

The visit included a surprise stop-over in the crisis hit country Sudan.

Speaking from Addis Ababa on Thursday he had tough words for all those involved in rebuilding the troubled continent.

"Armed with the evidence from the Commission for Africa about what Africa needs and what has held back progress in the past, I want to turn international attention on Africa into international action to support Africa," he said.

"With that report, the time for excuses will be over. The world, inside Africa and outside Africa, will know not just what the problems are but also the solutions."

Blair said the commission's report will coincide with the UK's presidency of the G8 - which will mark a year dominated by Africa.

"With that report, the time for excuses will be over. The world, inside Africa and outside Africa, will know not just what the problems are but also the solutions," he added.

"So next year is the year of decision for Africa and for us - to have the political will to confront the challenge of Africa and overcome it together.''

During his unexpected visit to Khartoum, Blair called on the Sudanese government to crackdown on militias who have brought chaos, destruction and death to the Darfur region.

Meanwhile the second full meeting of the Commission for Africa continues today in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.

On the final day of the meeting, the commissioners debate key issues with members of African civil society.