Obama holds talks on security, human rights in Ethiopia

Obama is the first sitting American president to visit the East African nation

President Barack Obama is holding talks with Ethiopia's leaders on counter-terrorism, human rights and regional security issues.

Obama arrived at the National Palace in the capital of Addis Ababa on Monday morning. He's the first sitting American president to visit the East African nation.

Obama and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn were holding a bilateral meeting, followed by a joint news conference. Obama was then to convene a meeting of African leaders on the crisis in neighboring South Sudan.

The president has faced criticism from human rights groups and others for visiting Ethiopia.

Critics say his trip lends legitimacy to a government that uses national security concerns as a pretext to stifle opposition and curtail basic freedoms.