Mandela warns world leaders not to 'look the other way' on world poverty

6.00.00pm GMT Thu 3rd Feb 2005

Nelson Mandela today told the Make Poverty History Rally in Trafalgar Square that 2005 offered a unique opportunity to cancel debt and bring trade justice to the world. Mr. Mandela also warned world leaders to honour their promise in the Millennium Declaration to halve extreme poverty by saying "I have to say to all those leaders do not look the other way - do not hesitate."

Mr. Mandela will, on Friday, address the Finance Ministers of the G7 group of countries. It will be interesting how they re-act to his challenge.