Special Report: President Hu attends outreach session of G8 Summit, visits Sweden

    HEILIGENDAMM, Germany, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The Group of Eight (G8) major industrialized nations on Friday promised here to continue to help promote peace and security in Africa, including through the prevention and resolution of conflicts.

    "Peace and security are an absolute prerequisite for successful and sustainable development in Africa," the G8 said in a declaration issued after its leaders met with leaders of some African countries Friday morning.

    It reaffirmed its commitment to help complete the building of the African Standby Forces (ASF).

    "We remain firmly committed to providing the necessary support to the ASF for its core military capabilities, which require increased investment by troop contributors and donors alike," said the document.

    "We will devote greater attention and efforts to conflict prevention and stabilization, reconstruction, reconciliation and development in post-conflict countries," it added.

    The elite group of the world's major economic powers said it will also continue its support for the African Peace and Security Architecture.

    It said it welcomed the efforts of the United Nations to assist the African Union (AU) in its peace and security efforts and will encourage dialogue and collaboration between the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council.

    As to the building of the ASF, it called on AU member states to continue and intensify their involvement.

    The G8 also pledged to assist in building the capacities of the AU and sub-regional organizations to combat the unauthorized proliferation and the misuse of illicit small arms and light weapons.

    It promised to provide technical and staff support in drafting an African convention on small arms and light weapons, which would include measures for secure and safe management of stockpiles of small arms and light weapons.