Equatorial Guinea hit the headlines in 2004 when a plane load of suspected mercenaries was intercepted in Zimbabwe while allegedly on the way to overthrow President Obiang.

BBC: Equatorial Guinea profile

His visit to Egypt was a hastily arranged affair, bolted on to the start of a long-planned commercial tour of Gulf Arab allies and made in the company of a plane-load of British business chiefs, among them the representatives of eight defence and aerospace firms, prompting press headlines at home about Mr Cameron preaching peace in the company of arms-dealers.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

In a case which shocked France, the defendants were arrested in Chad as they tried to load the children on to a plane bound for France.

BBC: Zoe's Ark trial: Head of French NGO 'was manipulator'