Gordon Brown arrived at the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad & Tobago optimistic of achieving consensus on the need for a deal on climate change in Copenhagen next month.

She is, however, due to attend a Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago in November and may travel elsewhere at that time, after the Bermuda celebrations are over.

Expat victims of Britain's frozen pension policy are to stage a protest at a Commonwealth summit this Friday in Perth, Western Australia.

The Georgian President, Eduard A. Shevardnadze, attending his first Commonwealth summit, met separately with five leaders.

He unveiled the measure after talks at a Commonwealth summit in Australia with leaders of countries in the Horn of Africa over the escalating problem faced in waters off their shores.

Mr de Klerk's statement was also interpreted as a favour to Margaret Thatcher, who is facing increased pressure for sanctions against South Africa at the Commonwealth summit next week.

Mr Cameron raised the idea of linking funding to human rights issues at the end of the Commonwealth summit in October.

To retain his seat, Mr Natapei, who was at a Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago, needed only to hand in a signed explanation for his absence, reports said.

David Cameron is in Perth for the Commonwealth summit, but his mind is on matters back in the EU.

The Secretariat organises Commonwealth summits, meetings of ministers, consultative meetings and technical discussions.