President has rock gift for Queen

Chilean president Sebastian Pinera with a portrait of Winston Churchill during a visit to the Cabinet War Rooms in central London
12 April 2012

The president of Chile will present David Cameron and the Queen with lumps of rock from the bottom of the San Jose mine when he meets them.

Sebastian Pinera's visit to the UK comes as his country continues to celebrate the rescue of the 33 miners who were trapped underground for 69 days.

The billionaire businessman-turned-politician arrived at Heathrow Airport on Saturday, accompanied by his wife, and spent Sunday sightseeing. He also met Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and was presented with a shirt signed by the football team.

Mr Pinera is to meet the Prime Minister at Downing Street before heading to Buckingham Palace for an audience with the Queen.

He will later deliver a lecture at the London School of Economics.

Mr Pinera has said he has brought "many presents" for Mr Cameron and the Queen.

As well as the rock, he is to give them a copy of the first message sent to the surface by the miners, reading: "We are well in the shelter, the 33."

The president has said he hopes Chile's international standing has been boosted by the successful rescue effort and that British entrepreneurs will invest more in the country.

He said of the successful rescue mission: "We did it because we were united, we did it because we were convinced, and did it because we would never leave anyone behind. And that's a very good principle for Chile and for the world."

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