Angola's long-time President Jose Eduardo dos Santos has confirmed he will step down before August's poll and has announced his likely successor. He told a meeting of the governing MPLA party that Joao Lourenco, the defence minister, would be the party's presidential candidate. But the 74-year-old is to remain leader of the influential ruling party. He is one of Africa's longest-serving leaders, becoming president of the oil-rich nation in September 1979. Mr Dos Santos has previously said he would stand down only to change his mind. BBC