|
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - The third and final piece of the Axum obelisk was returned to Ethiopia from Italy on Monday, as thousands cheered the end of an almost 70-year dispute over a symbol of African civilization stolen by European troops as a war prize.
"This is the land of the Queen of Sheba, and the obelisk belongs here," said Ethiopian President Girma Wolde-Giogis, wiping tears of joy from his eyes. "I never thought I would be alive to see its return."
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi also watched as a massive cargo plane landed in the northern Ethiopian town and workers unloaded the 1,700-year-old piece of carved granite.
|