Assassinated Congo president's body to lie in state

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KINSHASA, Congo -- The body of assassinated President Laurent Kabila has been returned to his home district in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo and will be put on public display here Sunday, a senior government official told CNN on Saturday.

Congolese Justice Minister Mzenwe Kongolo also confirmed earlier reports that Kabila was killed last week by a personal bodyguard named Rashid in an attack at the presidential palace. He said that Rashid was killed by other bodyguards and that an investigation was under way to determine his motive.

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Kabila's body was returned to the district of Lubumbashi from Zimbabwe, where he died of the wounds he received in the attack.

Kongolo said the body also would be brought to the capital to be put on public display.

A 30-day mourning period began Thursday, when the government announced officially that Kabila had died.

Kabila's son, Joseph, 31, was appointed by the government and army's high command to be head of state until all democratic processes are put in place, Kongolo said.

"The first priority is to have a person who is accepted by the leadership," he said, "because we don't want the army to start to create a problem. We don't want the politicians to start a problem. Therefore, a consensus of the leadership was very important in the designation of the son of the president."

Kongolo said the country was "desperately" in need of help after years of turmoil.

"Too much is too much, so that is basically what I want to tell the international community," he said. "We would like to have discussions, even with the Congolese who are against President [Laurent] Kabila. He is no longer there. It is a big turn in history."

Laurent Kabila came to power in May 1997 following a rebellion against former dictator Mobutu Sese Seko. He was initially welcomed by the international community but came under fire after placing friends and relatives in key government posts.

The following year, allies Rwanda and Uganda turned against him and backed his opponents. Kabila was aided by the African nations of Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia.

The Democratic Republic of Congo was formerly known as Zaire and gained its independence from Belgium in 1960.

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U.N. Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Lusaka Ceasefire Document
Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of The Congo
Congolese Rally for Democracy-Liberation Movement
Jane's Information Group: Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Human Rights Watch 1999 report on the Democratic Republic of Congo
The International Rescue Committee
Mortality Study, Eastern Democratic Republic Of Congo
Congo Defense Fund (CDF)

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