JOHANNESBURG, Oct 6, 2007 (AFP) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said a meeting here Saturday with Nelson Mandela was a moving experience, and that they discussed the need to peacefully resolve Africa's conflicts.

'It was a moving moment for me to meet Nelson Mandela. His great message is that we need peace in the world and especially the conflicts in Africa must be resolved in a peaceful way,' Merkel said after her 45-minute talks with the 89-year-old former president of South Africa and Nobel Peace Prize winner.

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 1, 2007 (AFP) - Nelson Mandela said on Monday that the next concert of his '46664' AIDS campaign would take place for the first time in Johannesburg on December 1 and in conjunction with World AIDS Day.

It will be the fifth such concert, launched in 2003 as part of the campaign '46664' -- the former South African president's old prison number -- under which 20 million rand (two million euros, three million dollars) has been raised for AIDS projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

LOS ANGELES, Sept 25, 2007 (AFP) - Clint Eastwood may direct an upcoming Hollywood film based on former South African President Nelson Mandela and his appearance at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final, US media reported on Tuesday.

Oscar-winner Eastwood has been linked to the film as plans take shape for the post-apartheid drama, that will see Morgan Freeman portray Mandela, entertainment industry journal Daily Variety reported.

Matt Damon is in talks to play Springboks captain Francois Piennar, the report added.

WASHINGTON, Sept 20, 2007 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Thursday declared there were no more 'Mandelas' left to help aid reconciliation in Iraq because former dictator Saddam Hussein had killed them all.

There could be no 'instant democracy in Iraq' because 'people are still recovering from Saddam Hussein's brutal rule,' Bush told reporters.

Referring to former South African president Nelson Mandela, who led the fight against apartheid to become a symbol of reconciliation and hope, Bush said of Iraq: 'I heard somebody say, 'Now where's Mandela?''

WASHINGTON, Sept 20, 2007 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Thursday declared there were no more 'Mandelas' left to help aid reconciliation in Iraq because former president Saddam Hussein had killed them all.

There could be no 'instant democracy in Iraq' because people are still recovering from Saddam Hussein's brutal rule,' Bush told reporters.

Referring to former South African president Nelson Mandela, who led the fight against apartheid to become a symbol of reconciliation and hope, Bush said of Iraq: 'I heard somebody say, 'Now where's Mandela?'

PARIS, Sept 5, 2007 (AFP) - Former French president Jacques Chirac on Wednesday discussed his plans to set up a foundation with Nelson Mandela who is on a private visit to France to raise funds for his charity institutes.

Chirac is to launch in the coming months a foundation devoted to the environment and promoting understanding among cultures, to be be headed by former International Monetary Fund managing director Michel Camdessus.

PARIS, Sept 5, 2007 (AFP) - President Nicolas Sarkozy presented Nelson Mandela with original photographs taken in 1952 of one of the first anti-apartheid protests led by the African National Congress, during a dinner in his honour late Tuesday.

Mandela, in France as part of a fundraising tour for his foundations, gave the French president an autographed picture of his emotional return visit to Robben Island, where he spent 27 years in prison.

PARIS, Sept 3, 2007 (AFP) - President Nicolas Sarkozy on Monday personally welcomed Nelson Mandela to France where the anti-apartheid hero arrived for a private visit.

Sarkozy greeted the 89-year-old former South African president at Orly aiport and accompanied him to his hotel in central Paris, an AFP photographer reported.

Sarkozy's office had said that the French leader wanted to take time out from his schedule to greet Mandela in person, a courtesy that is usually reserved for visiting heads of state.

PARIS, Aug 30, 2007 (AFP) - French President Nicolas Sarkozy is to host former South African president Nelson Mandela Monday, exceptionally travelling in person to welcome him at a Paris airport, his office said.

'This is exceptional, for an exceptional man. The president is delighted to meet Mr Mandela, for whom he has the deepest respect,' said presidential spokesman David Martinon.

Sarkozy is to welcome the 89-year-old Mandela, who led the fight against apartheid, at Paris Orly airport on Monday at 3:15 pm (1315 GMT).

LONDON, Aug 28, 2007 (AFP) - British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Tuesday praised former South African President Nelson Mandela as 'the greatest and most courageous leader of our generation' ahead of the unveiling of a statue in his honour.

Brown made the tribute outside his Downing Street base, just a day before a statue of the Nobel prize-winner is due to be unveiled in front of parliament. It will stand alongside those of former British prime ministers Winston Churchill and Benjamin Disraeli.

LONDON, Aug 24, 2007 (AFP) - Former South African president Nelson Mandela is to attend the unveiling next week of his statue opposite the British parliament, London Mayor Ken Livingstone said Friday.

The wraps will be taken off the statue next Wednesday and will see the likeness of the 89-year-old Nobel laureate stand alongside the figures of former British prime ministers Winston Churchill and Benjamin Disraeli.

A statue of former South African prime minister, politician and military officer Jan Smuts also stands nearby.

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 22, 2007 (AFP) - The leader of India's ruling party, Sonia Ghandi, on Wednesday met with South African former president Nelson Mandela, calling her visit to the country a pilgrimage.

Gandhi presented a smiling Mandela with a book entitled 'Gandhi's Way' which celebrated a centenary of Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of peace and humanity.

JOHANNESBURG, July 24, 2007 (AFP) - Former South African president Nelson Mandela on Tuesday threw a massive children`s party in Johannesburg, wrapping up week long celebrations of his 89th birthday.

The Nobel peace prize winner was swamped by presents and messages from children and youth who sang happy birthday to the former anti-apartheid leader, known fondly by his clan name Madiba.

Children from a special needs school thanked Mandela for his support while a colourful montage made by children from across the continent was presented to him.