The body of the Chinese UN observer killed in an Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon returned home yesterday morning.

The coffin of Lieutenant Colonel Du Zhaoyu, draped with Chinese and UN flags, was carried from a special military plane at southern Beijing's Nanyuan Airport by an honour guard of eight soldiers, at 10 am.

His widow Li Lingling, who flew to Israel last Thursday to handle the aftermath of her husband's death together with a six-member government team, walked in front of the coffin, holding a framed picture of Du.

She had last spoken to her husband just hours before he died on July 25.

He had told her he was "pretty safe" in Lebanon, a family friend said.

Du's parents and his baby son, who marked his second birthday on Monday, also waited at the airport.

The little boy slept soundly in a relative's arms as his father's coffin was carried from the plane.

The People's Liberation Army Assistant to Chief of General Staff Zhang Qinsheng, Assistant Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai, and about 200 army officers in uniforms and with their caps in their hands stood to attention as Du's coffin was carried across the tarmac to the waiting hearse.

The plane carrying Du's coffin left Tel Aviv on Tuesday night after a memorial ceremony, which was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Israel Chen Yonglong.

An online memorial to Du has been established at www.china5000.org.cn/dzy/index.htm and has already received messages from across China.

"You sacrificed your life for world peace. You are a national hero, and the pride of the PLA," reads one message.

The government has strongly condemned Israel's attack on the UN peacekeeping post, which also killed three other UN observers from Finland, Austria and Canada.

China has demanded Israel carry out a thorough investigation into the attack and apologize to the nation and the victim's family.

Some 180 Chinese military officers and engineers as well as three observers including Du were working in southern Lebanon, as part of the UN peacekeeping mission, according to diplomatic sources.

Israel has expressed deep sorrow and regret over the incident, but denies it was deliberate.

Israel launched relentless ground and air raids on Lebanese targets from July 12, after Hezbollah guerrillas based in Lebanon kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and killed eight in cross-border attacks.

So far Israel has rejected calls for an immediate ceasefire.

Source: China Daily/Xinhua