GLENEAGLES, Scotland, July 8 (UPI) -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair Friday praised his Group of Eight partners for agreeing to double aid to Africa.
At a news conference marking the end of this week's G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland, Blair said it is imperative the new funds not be siphoned off by corrupt officials.
Blair said the world's leading industrial countries agreed to double aid to Africa to relieve poverty and though these actions will not totally wipe out poverty, they show "how it can be done and show the political will to do it."
The leaders agreed to full cancellation of debt from the 18 poorest countries and to fund famine relief. They also agreed to work to reduce malaria.
Blair said it isn't enough to increase aid and called on African leaders to reform their governments.
"The only people who can change Africa are the Africans," he said.
