The main beneficiaries of the deal could be Africa's poor

The move provides relief for poor, indebted nations, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, freeing up much-needed revenue.

Announcing the deal at a meeting of G8 finance ministers in London, the UK's Gordon Brown said now was "not a time for timidity but a time for boldness".

The UK, which will host a summit of G8 leaders next month, has vowed to make poverty reduction a priority.

The plan, which was devised by the UK, secured the backing of the US administration on Friday - paving the way for its adoption at the London meeting.

Conditions

Under the deal, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Bank will immediately write off 100% of the money owed to them by 18 countries - a total of $40bn (£22bn; 33bn euros).

Our agreement in return for debt relief is that it goes towards health... teachers, and infrastructure

Gordon Brown



Q&A: African debt deal

Between them, it will save those countries a total of $1.5bn a year in debt repayments.

UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown said up to 20 other countries could be eligible if they meet targets for good governance and tackling corruption.

The total package - which needs to be approved by the lending institutions - could be worth more than $55bn.

"We are presenting the most comprehensive statement that finance ministers have ever made on the issues of debt, development, health and poverty," Mr Brown said.

He added that the plan set the stage for July's G8 summit, where world leaders intend "to forge a new and better relationship, a new deal between the rich and poor countries of the world".

US Treasury Secretary John Snow hailed the agreement as "historic".

No apologies

Relief groups welcomed the plan as a step in the right direction - but said some it should be extended to cover more developing countries.

DEBT RELIEF PLAN Debts written off for 18 countries - total $40bn Debt repayments saved by the group each year - $1.5bn Nine more countries to qualify within 18 months - takes total to $55bn UK's contribution over next 10 years: $700-$960m US contribution: $1.3bn-$1.75bn Africa's total external debt: $300bn

"But it will do little to immediately help millions in at least 40 other countries that also need 100% debt relief."

Earlier John Nagenda, an adviser to Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, told the BBC it was time for rich nations to deliver on their promises.

"I should be more apologetic and say please help us but where I come from we believe that if you are better off than someone else you help them. It's as simple as that - it's a moral duty."

The G8 countries are the United States, Canada, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia.