By Francis Maingaila
LUSAKA
Visiting heads of state and foreign dignitaries on Monday paid their last respects to late Zambian President Michael Chilufya Sata, who died in a London hospital last month.
"On behalf of my government, and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to thank all foreign heads of state and other dignitaries that came to mourn our beloved president," Foreign Affairs Minister Harry Kalaba told Anadolu Agency.
"The gesture expressed by these people [funeral attendees] is highly appreciated," he said.
Acting President Guy Scott and Kalaba were both on hand to receive foreign leaders who came to State House to view Sata's body.
These included Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Armando Emilio Guebuza of Mozambique.
Malawian President Peter Mutharika and his Tanzanian counterpart, Jakaya Kikwete, were represented by their vice presidents, Lackie Kanyamula Sikwese and Ali Mohamad Ghaib Bilal, respectively.
Other dignitaries who paid their last respects to the late Zambian leader included African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
Representatives from China, Japan, the U.S., Seychelles and Sri Lanka all likewise paid their respects to the late Sata.
After viewing the body, foreign heads of state and dignitaries proceeded to sign a book of condolences at State House.
The body of the late leader, who died late last month at London's King Edward VII Hospital, will lie in state at State House before being buried on Tuesday at Lusaka's Embassy Park.
Valedictory
Earlier today, Zambia's National Assembly held a valedictory session to honor Sata.
"Today, we gather here to pay our last respects to our brother, who is the father of the nation," said Assembly Speaker Patrick Matibini.
"Our hearts are broken and we are deeply sorrowful to lose a distinguished politician and a president of the country," he added.
At the head of leading MPs and high-profile dignitaries, Matibini credited the late president with advocating change and fighting corruption.
"Barely months in office, he fired two ministers who were accused of corruption and directed that a thorough investigation be carried out to establish the truth," Matibini recalled of the departed president.
Sata led his Patriotic Front (PF) to victory in 2011 after defeating then-president Rupiah Banda of the Movement for Multiparty Democracy.
Monday's event was attended by acting President Guy Scott, cabinet ministers and senior government officials.
Other dignitaries in attendance included former presidents of Zambia Kenneth Kaunda and Rupiah Banda.
Thousands of normal Zambians also attended the event, which was held in Lusaka's National Assembly building.
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