President Mnangagwa signs book of condolence at Iranian embassy

Harare, (New Ziana) -President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday visited the Iranian embassy where he signed the book of condolences on the death of former President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

The late President Raisi died on Sunday when a helicopter that was carrying him went down in dense fog in the mountains while traveling back from a meeting with President Ilham Aliyev of neighbouring Azerbaijan.

He died together with his Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and several other senior government officials.

Addressing the media after signing the book of condolences, President Mnangagwa expressed optimism that the good relations between Iran and Zimbabwe will continue despite the setback.

“Well, I have come here as the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe representing the people of Zimbabwe to express our deepest condolences on the passing on of my dear brother, President Raisi of the Republic of Iran, who actually was the last head of State to visit Zimbabwe,” he said.

“So, in me the people of Zimbabwe, indeed we are representing them to come here and express our deepest condolences on the tragic passing on of President Raisi. We wish that the warm and friendly relations which existed between the two countries will continue, in fact, become more comprehensive as we move forward.”

The late President Raisi was to be buried in his home city of Mashhad on Thursday with high-ranking officials from different countries expected to attend the burial, including Russian Parliamentary leader Vyacheslav Volodin.

New Ziana