Washington: The US House of Representatives adopted a bill today aimed at taking South African former president Nelson Mandela and his party, the African National Congress, off a US terror black list.

"This long-overdue bill is the direct result of a stunning and, frankly, embarrassing story for the United States," said Democratic House Foreign Affairs chairman Howard Berman.

"Despite recognising two decades ago that America's place was on the side of those oppressed by Apartheid, Congress has never resolved the inconsistency in our immigration code that treats many of those who actively opposed Apartheid in South Africa as terrorists and criminals," he added.

The bill was adopted in a raised-hands vote with no objection.

Last month US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice urged a Senate committee to remove the restrictions on ANC party.

She said "it is really a rather embarrassing matter that I still have to waive in my own counterpart, the foreign minister of South Africa, not to mention the great leader Nelson Mandela."

Source : PTI