US President George W. Bush said today the United States would not allow terrorists to threaten Africans or use the continent as a base to launch attacks elsewhere.
"We will not allow terrorists to threaten African people or to use Africa as a base to threaten the world," Mr Bush said in a speech in Nigeria, wrapping up a five-nation Africa tour.
He also repeated his demand that embattled Liberian President Charles Taylor step down and leave his West African country to avert further bloodletting there.
"President Taylor needs to leave Liberia so that his country can be spared further grief and bloodshed," Mr Bush said in the speech to delegates at a summit bringing together African American business executives and African leaders.
But Mr Bush, who is under pressure to send American troops to join a planned international force in Liberia, did not announce any US commitment to the mission.
Mr Bush was due to leave Abuja soon after his speech to fly back to Washington.