Cheney plane fine after small mechanical problem

WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (Reuters) Vice President Dick Cheney's airplane had a small mechanical problem but there were no safety concerns and the aircraft was scheduled to make a planned refueling stop in Singapore after his trip to Australia, the White House said.

White House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said ysterday there was a problem with a generator on Cheney's plane but it posed no safety issues and the aircraft was fine.

Cheney had been visiting Australia as part of a trip to thank Washington's Iraq war allies Japan and Australia. His plane left Sydney's international airport about 9 am on Sunday (5 pm EST (0330 hrs IST) yesterday).

REUTERS SY PM1002