Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, one of Africa's most visible leaders, automatically retained the leadership of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) despite a silent opposition to his three-year term at the helm of the institution.

'The issue of his chairmanship was not raised at all during the meeting. He (Meles) will automatically retain the leadership,' a senior official, who attended the Heads of State Implementation Committee meeting here Saturday, told PANA.

The official, who cannot be identified because he was not authorised to divulge the details of the meeting, said there were no public objections to a tenure extension for the Ethiopian leader during the NEPAD leader's meeting.

Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade had been expected to challenge Prime Minister Meles for the position.

'There is concern that the he (Meles) has served a three-year term. He is also involved in several committees of the African Union. We feel he should give up some of the responsibilities,' a Nigerian Foreign Ministry official said.

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