ALGIERS, Sept 13 (AFP) - Delegates at the sixth Red Cross and Red Crescent conference on Africa adopted an action plan for the continent on Monday aimed at ensuring food security, fighting AIDS and reducing mortality due to famine.

The conference, which is held every four years, closed Monday with a speech by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of host nation, Algeria.

He called in a closing speech for "a partnership between the national societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent and civil society," and urged them to "speak out about the suffering of the people of Africa."

Bouteflika said Africa "has the will to take itself in hand with the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

"This will is taking the shape of Africa mobilising its resources and by the commitment of a responsible and ambitious partnership with the rest of the world."

The conference began last week and has brought together some 700 participants including Red Cross and Red Crescent officials from around the world, representatives of African governments and members of United Nations agencies.

The aim was to concentrate on Africa's high mortality rates, the 25 million people who live with HIV/AIDS and the 180 million who are chronically under-nourished, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said.

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