LILONGWE, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Bodies of the six UN Malawi soldiers who were killed during peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on November 14 arrived home on Wednesday.
The plane carrying the fallen soldiers' bodies touched down at Kamuzu International Airport in Malawi capital at exactly 11:58 local time.
Each of the six caskets was draped in the UN flag and they were welcomed by President Peter Mutharika, UN Resident Coordinator in Malawi Maria Jose Torres, government officials and family members.
In her remarks, the UN Resident Coordinator described the death of the six UN Malawi soldiers as "unprecedented tragedy" for Malawi, a country that has over 900 men and women troops among more than 17,000 troops currently serving in peacekeeping operations in the UN.
"The UN Security Council has expressed that the attack is war crime and they have asked the armed forces to lay down arms and cease all forms of violence," said Torres, adding: "The UN Secretary General has encouraged the Congolese authorities to take necessary measures to bring to justice the perpetrators of this act to book."
She paid "heartfelt condolence" to the bereft families of the six soldiers and also wished well all the peacekeeping soldiers who had sustained injuries during the November 14 combat with the rebels in the DRC.
In his remarks, President Mutharika described Wednesday, November 21 as "very sad and painful day" for all Malawians.
He described the soldiers as "heroes of Africa" who had fought to their last breath in search for peace.
He thanked the UN family and all regional leaders on the continent for mourning together with Malawi through the many condolence messages and flowers they had sent to the Malawi leader.
