Nigeria's President arrives Addis Ababa for Meles' burial

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Saturday at the head of a Nigerian delegation to attend the burial of the late Ethiopian Prime Minister Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

Already in Addis Ababa for the burial is former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and a host of African Presidents and Heads of State.

Meles died 20 August from an undisclosed illness in Brussels, Belgium, after 21 years in power.

His body was airlifted to his country's capital, Addis Ababa, and received by thousands of mourning nationals the following day.

President Jonathan arrived the Bole International Airport for the burial and was received by top ranking Nigerian and Ethiopian officials.

After settling in at his hotel, he drove to the Grand (Presidential) Palace to sign the condolence register.

Back at the hotel, Jonathan is scheduled to received Meles' successor as Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn.

The Nigerian leader had, in a tribute on 21 August, described Meles' death as "a major loss for Africa.''
-0- PANA MON/SEG 1Sept2012