Minister Ngwilizi (right) with President Rene at State House on Tuesday

Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa has sent a letter to President France Albert Rene and Vice-President James Michel, containing his greetings and good will at the time of the presidential hand over.

Mr Hasan Ngwilizi, the Tanzanian Minister for Regional Administration and Local Government, handed over the letter on Tuesday April 13,  at State House, but said that he did not know its contents.

However he did tell waiting journalists he suspected that the letter contained greetings from the Tanzanian premier to President Rene and Vice-President Michel.

Communications Adviser to the Vice-President, René Morel, was later able to confirm that the message was one of good will which welcomed the appointment of Vice- President Michel to the position of President.

In Seychelles from April 12 to 16, Minister Ngwilizi said that the rest of his visit would be spent meeting with, "brother and sister ministers."

Strong links have existed between Seychelles and Tanzania since political and military ties were forged between Presidents Rene and Nyerere in the 1970s.

Minister Ngwilizi, a retired brigadier general and serving member of the Tanzanian parliament, will be attending Wednesday's presidential swearing in ceremony.

LINKS