African leaders gather in Ethiopia

African leaders joined other foreign dignitaries in paying homage to Ethiopia's longtime prime minister Meles Zenawi ahead of Sunday's state funeral for a man hailed as an African "hero". "The prime minister was a beacon of hope in Africa and he should be remembered as a hero for all the outstanding work that he has achieved in his lifetime," said Malawi's Deputy Prime Minister Khumbo Kachali. Benin's President Thomas Boni Yayi said the death of Meles was "a great loss" not just for Ethiopia but for the African continent because of his vision and his support of Pan-Africanism. Rwandan President Paul Kagame echoed that sentiment. "He was a gallant fighter for freedom not only for Ethiopia and Ethiopian people but also Africa," said Kagame. Djibouti's President Ismail Omar Guelleh and South Sudan's Salva Kiir joined ministers and diplomats in visiting the National Palace in the capital Addis Ababa Saturday to pay tribute to the powerful leader's flag-draped coffin and to sign a book of condolence. Also present was Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who has been indicted by the International Criminal Court on several counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in the long-running Darfur conflict. Hundreds of Ethiopians, many of them in tears, joined the gathering at the palace."Africa has just lost one of his most illustrious sons," said Ivory Coast's minister for integration Ally Coulibaly. "Meles Zenawi is the advocate for Africa's renaissance." "Africa has lot one of its greatest leaders," said Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete. "There are few leaders like him and to lose such a leader at so young an age at this critical moment in Africa's development is really tragic," he added. Meles died on August 20 in a Brussels hospital at the age of 57. He had ruled Ethiopia for 21 years after toppling dictator Mengistu Hailemariam, becoming a dominant figure in the region. He will be given the first state funeral staged for a leader of the Horn of Africa nation in more than 80 years. Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni are also expected to attend the funeral, along with senior officials from China, the European Union and the United States. The funeral will begin in Addis Ababa's vast Meskel Square, before heading to the National Palace. The body of Meles, who was a Christian, will be laid to rest in the Holy Trinity Church behind the palace. The last leader to be so honoured was Empress Zawditu in 1930. Meles is credited with helping widespread economic development in Ethiopia, which has flirted with almost double-digit growth for the last few years. As well as maintaining stability in his own country through iron-fisted rule, he played a key role in trying to forge peace in the troubled Horn of Africa region. But he was also criticised for his human rights record and repressive rule. After the funeral, Deputy Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn will formally take over power, according to officials. Hailemariam, a relatively unknown politician, hails from the south, unlike many of the country's political elite, who are from the north. He will be sworn in after Meles' funeral on a date that is yet to be fixed, and is expected to remain prime minister until the next national election in 2015. Government spokesman Bereket Simon said parliament had chosen to delay the official swearing in ceremony of Hailemariam to give the nation time to grieve Meles' death.