President Thabo Mbeki has conveyed South Africa’s condolences to the families of the 96 people who died in the Nigerian airliner crash.
Presidential spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga said Mbeki assured Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo of South Africa’s ”thoughts and prayers during Nigeria’s period of grief”.
”The President said the tragedy was felt not only in Nigeria but also throughout and beyond the African continent,” Ratshitanga said in a statement.
Mbeki singled out the Nigerian Muslim community over the death of Muslim spiritual leader, Sultan Maccido, aboard the same flight.
He praised Maccido for his selfless character that gave him outstanding leadership qualities.
The aircraft, carrying 105 people, including crew, went down moments after taking off from Abuja.
According to reports 96 people died and nine were injured. — Sapa