Durban, South Africa - US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton flew to the South African city of Durban on Saturday for a meeting with President Jacob Zuma that she described as "helpful".

"He gave us his view of things on regional issues such as Zimbabwe, Somalia and Sudan, where - his counsel in these matters, was extremely helpful," Clinton said.

Zuma meanwhile said he and Clinton had also discussed the need to reform international institutions so that these reflect the interests of all countries.

Clinton on Friday met with her South African counterpart Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to discuss the crisis in Zimbabwe. Afterwards, she reminded South Africa of its responsibility towards its ailing neighbour.

South Africa played a key role in brokering a power-sharing deal in Zimbabwe that saw opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai appointed prime minister in March. The increasingly autocratic president of 29 years, Robert Mugabe, who is seen as an obstacle to far-reaching democratic reforms, remained in office.

Clinton was on the second leg of a seven-nation Africa tour that began in Kenya on Tuesday. She is to travel on Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria, Liberia and Cape Verde. (dpa)