The British government has announced that it will meet the administrative costs of hosting the London High Court sitting in Lusaka during the on-going trial of former Zambian president Frederick Chiluba's alleged plunder of the country's resources.

Speaking at a press briefing here on Tuesday, newly appointed British High Commissioner to Zambia Alistair Harrison confirmed that his government would pay all the costs pertaining to the hosting of the London High Court when it sits in Zambia.

However, Harrison could not say when the London High Court will come and sit in Zambia, saying the case was long and complicated.

Harrison also did not disclose the total cost of hosting the court but stressed that the sitting was useful in order for the Judge to come and hear evidence that may otherwise be difficult to get if the court sat in London.

"It is important for the London High Court to come here so that the Judge can hear all the necessary evidence and for justice to be done," said Harrison.

Harrison said the hosting of the London High Court in another country was a normal procedure and there was no need to fear that it would infringe on the sovereignty of Zambia as a country.

However, he declined to comment on Chiluba's statement that he would not appear before the London High Court when it comes to sit in Zambia because the matter was still in court.

President Levy Mwanawasa has made the fight against corruption a centerpiece of his presidency soon after his inauguration in 2002, giving the green light to investigations into alleged graft during his predecessor Chiluba's era.

The Attorney General of Zambia commenced legal action against Chiluba and others in London last December, seeking to recover 13 million pounds (about 24 million US dollars) which was allegedly misappropriated between 1996 and 2002.

Source: Xinhua