The Beijing Olympic flame has completed the eighth leg of its global tour at DAR ES SALAAM, the largest city of eastern African country of Tanzania.

The relay started its relay in drizzle on Sunday afternoon from the Tazara, the railway station of Dar es Salaam. Tanzanians staged traditional dances to initiate the relay.

Tanzanian Vice President Mohamed Shein lit the torch at the start of the relay. The first torch bearer was Tanzanian Minister of State for Union Affairs in Vice President's Office Mohamed Seif Khatib.

The last one to wrap up the relay was United Nations Under Secretary-General Anna Tibaijuka, who is the first African woman elected by the UN General Assembly to the position.

Dar es Salaam Mayor Adam Kimbisa says the arrival of the Olympic flame is a great honor for the city.

"The preparation of the Olympic torch is excellent. Our people are excited. They are waiting eagerly, because it is an honor for the city of Dar es Salaam, the people of Tanzania."

It is the first time for the Olympic flame to come to East Africa and the second time to arrive in Africa after the Athens Olympic torch relay landed in the continent in 2004.

The relay in Dar es Salaam, the city dubbed "harbor of peace", covered five kilometers and lasted about two hours.
The flame is going back to Asia in midnight for its ninth leg of global journey in Muscat of Oman.