Friday, 4 July 2008 07:08 UK

Bush to attend Olympic ceremony

George W Bush pictured on 2 July

Mr Bush had always planned to attend the Olympics, the White House said

US President George W Bush will attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, the White House says.

Human rights groups and opposition politicians including presidential hopeful Barack Obama had urged Mr Bush to consider boycotting the ceremony.

Beijing's rights record has come under intense scrutiny since Tibetan protests were suppressed in March.

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