Chirac warns of 'African flood'

Chirac warns of 'African flood'

Thousands of Africans are risking their lives to reach Europe

French President Jacques Chirac has warned that Africans "will flood
the world" unless more is done to develop the continent's economy.

In a TV interview, Mr Chirac said nearly 50% of Africa's
950m population was under 17 and that by 2050 there would be two
billion Africans.

He said the necessary resources had to be made available to help Africa.

"We have an immense problem [in Africa] ... which is that of development," he said in the Bastille Day interview.

'Back to basics'

"If we do not develop... Africa... if we do not
make available the necessary resources to bring about this development,
these people will flood the world," he said.