The Gambian leader, President Yahya Jammeh, has said that The Gambia would never under any circumstances abandon her friends.

President Jammeh made this remark Saturday on GRTS while speaking to reporters on his arrival at the Banjul international airport after a week- long working visit to Venezuela and Cuba.

Discussing the highlights of his visit, President Jammeh revealed that technical co-operation agreements have been reached with Venezuela, adding that the agreements are some of the most comprehensive The Gambia has signed with any country. “My trip was one of the best I made so far.”

Concerning Cuba, President Jammeh said his visit to that country was geared towards further strengthening bilateral relations that exist between the two countries. He noted that the visit accorded him the opportunity to pay his respects to the ailing Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, and show solidarity with the people of Cuba. “Cuba was one of the countries in that part of the world to offer Gambia medical assistance as a result of which The Gambia’s medical sector became Number one in the sub region.”

President Jammeh further acknowledged what he considered Cuba’s immense support to the liberation of Africa and her people.

The Gambian leader opined that being the first African leader both to visit Venezuela in 11 years and to visit the ailing Cuban leader shows that the Gambia, as an independent country, would never abandon her friends.

The president was met on arrival by the vice president, Dr Isatou Njie Saidy, senior government officials and members of the diplomatic and consular corps.