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 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |