Ethiopians mourn a great leader as his body returns home

(Aug 22, 2012)

Thousands of mourning Ethiopians turned out on Tuesday as Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's body arrived at Addis Ababa airport last night .A military band played as the coffin, draped in an Ethiopian flag, was taken from the Ethiopian Airlines flight, and the ceremony was attended by ministers, military and religious leaders as well as diplomats. The arrival of the body was broadcast live by Ethiopian Television as well as other local media which also showed scenes of mourning as thousands huddled in the rain waiting to pay their respects as the coffin passed slowly through the streets. Many carried photographs of Prime Minister Meles; others held up placards reading: "Meles, your legacy will never die." There is widespread grief over the death of the Prime Minister; the passing of a leader who had been in power for over twenty years has stunned and saddened the entire country. The Government has declared a state of national mourning to last until the funeral takes place. In the meantime the coffin has been taken to the Prime Minister's official residence at the National Palace where Meles’ body will lie in state until the funeral next week. The date has yet to be announced.