US President George Bush has arrived in Senegal at the start of a five-nation visit to Africa.
There were anti-Bush demonstrations in the country last night before the arrival this morning of the US entourage.
The president is accompanied by the Secretary of State, Colin Powell, and the National Security Advisor, Condoleeza Rice.
Mr Bush will also visit South Africa, Botswana, Uganda and Nigeria.
The tour is intended to underline US support for the continent, but is likely to be dominated by calls for Washington to intervene in the conflict in Liberia.
Earlier, Mr Bush said no decision has been made on sending US peacekeepers to Liberia.
Charles Taylor, president of the war-torn country, has said he will step down only if peacekeepers are sent to prevent further chaos.
Mr Bush has said that he will work with the UN and African states to maintain a fragile ceasefire, but stopped short of committing forces.
