US President Barack Obama offered his condolences to Ethiopia on Tuesday following the death of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, a key Western ally who ruled his country for more than two decades.

"I met with Prime Minister Meles at the G8 Summit in May and recall my personal admiration for his desire to lift millions of Ethiopians out of poverty through his drive for food security," Obama said in a statement.

He credited the Ethiopian leader with helping forge "peace and security in Africa," and for "his contributions to the African Union, and his voice for Africa on the world stage."

Meles, however, was regularly singled out as one of the continent`s worst human rights violators.

"Going forward, we encourage the government of Ethiopia to enhance its support for development, democracy, regional stability and security, human rights, and prosperity for its people," Obama added.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meanwhile said she was "saddened" by Meles`s death and expressed confidence "that Ethiopia will peacefully navigate the political transition according to its constitution."

A former rebel who came to power in 1991 after toppling the dictatorship of Mengistu Haile Mariam, Meles set Ethiopia on a path of rapid growth and played a key role in mediating regional conflicts. (AK)

Source: ANTARA