Reps of 49 African nations to attend Russia-Africa summit - presidential aide Ushakov

MOSCOW. July 25 (Interfax) - Forty-nine African countries will take part in the Russia-Africa summit, and 17 of them will be represented by top state officials, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said.

"Forty-nine out of 54 countries have confirmed their participation. However, more than half, 27, [will do so] at the level of their first and second [most senior] officials. Seventeen heads of state, five vice presidents, four heads of government, [and] one head of parliament," Ushakov told reporters.

Another 17 states will be represented at the level of their deputy prime ministers and ministers, predominantly foreign ministers, while five countries will be represented by their ambassadors, he said.

The heads of virtually all African regional organizations, including the African Union, will attend the summit, Ushakov said.