LONDON, Dec 1 (AFP) - Prime Minister Tony Blair on Wednesday called Britain's commitment to fighting AIDS in Africa a "moral question", pledging that the pandemic-stricken continent would receive the attention of his government and the Group of Eight nations.
Blair, who has said Africa would be a priority during Britain's presidency of the G8 and the European Union next year, told BBC radio that Africa was not "a continent without hope".
"The thing that has worked in respect of combating AIDS is when you've had a well-financed program, locally led, with accessible health and educational help for people there.
"The thing that is most frustrating of all is that we do know what works," Blair said.
His comments came on World AIDS Day, as fresh data warned that the HIV virus continues to threaten millions worldwide.
Africa is home to nearly two-thirds of all those living with HIV or AIDS in the world -- 25.4 million, according to UN figures -- and three-quarters of women AIDS patients.
In 2004, some 3.1 million Africans contracted the virus which destroys immunity to disease and 2.3 million died of it.
Britain next year will take over the G8 group of the world's wealthiest nations, and will also assume the six-month presidency of the 25-member EU in the second half of 2005.
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