Cameroon defends Biya hotel bills

Yaounde, 04 Sept-(ANA)-Officials in Cameroon have defended President Paul Biya's controversial holiday in La Baule, southern France.

His trip has been making headlines in France and Cameroon, as he is alleged to be spending $40,000 (£24,500) a day on 43 hotel rooms.

But Cameroon's communications minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary said Mr Biya had a right to spend money allotted to him in any way he wanted.

The average annual income in the West African country is $1,000.

Reports in the French press say the couple and their delegation are staying in the five-star L'Hermitage Hotel.

Mr Biya has been president of Cameroon since 1982. (ANA)

FA/ANA/04 September 2009---