Clinton to visit Ivory Coast, other W. African countries

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel next week to Liberia, Ivory Coast, Togo and Cape Verde, the State Department said Friday.

Clinton's whirlwind January 16-17 tour is "to demonstrate US commitment to post-conflict return to peace, good governance and economic development as well as to emphasize US focus on democratization," spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

In Liberia, Clinton will attend Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's inauguration, Nuland said.

In Ivory Coast, she will meet with President Alassane Ouattara to "showcase our support for national reconciliation and strengthening democratic institutions" after the elections in December, Nuland said.

In Togo, Clinton, the first US secretary of state to visit that country, will meet President Faure Gnassingbe "to demonstrate US support for Togos democratic progress and economic reforms," Nuland said.

In Cape Verde, Clinton will meet Prime Minister Jose Maria Neves to discuss cooperation on regional issues like counter-narcotics, good governance, sound economic policies," Nuland said.