Accra, Feb. 28, GNA - The African Union (AU) Chairman President John Agyekum Kufuor has pledged to give every necessary support to help to consolidate the peace in Burundi and stabilise the Great Lakes region.

Much of Africa, he said, was behind the great effort the Burundi Authorities were making to work the peace agreement that ended the country's civil war and paved the way for democratic elections. President Kufuor was speaking during a meeting with President Pierre Nkurunziza, the Burundian leader, at the Castle, Osu, on Tuesday. He was in Accra to confer with the AU Chairman on the political situation of his country and what was being done to attract investments to revive the economy shattered by years of war.

He arrived in Ghana from Cote d' Ivoire and was met at the Kotoka International Airport by the Energy Minister, Mr Kofi Adda. President Kufuor lauded President Nkurunziza for the statesmanship he was showing through his all inclusive approach to move his country forward.

He assured him that he would use his leadership of the AU to focus a lot of attention on Burundi and assist it to succeed. President Nkurunziza said there was now peace in the country, adding, 93We want to reap the benefits of peace and attract investments."

He conveyed his country's appreciation to the AU for its support that led to the establishment of a new national army and police and the subsequent holding of elections.

He said Burundi was an example that Africans were capable of resolving their own conflicts through peaceful negotiated settlement. President Nkurunziza informed President Kufuor that they were using national reconciliation as an important tool in the country's post war management.