AXUM, Ethiopia, April 19 (UPI) -- The first section of an obelisk regarded as an Ethiopian national treasure has been brought home after being looted by Italian troops nearly 70 years ago.
A huge Antonov-124 cargo plane arrived Tuesday morning at Axum airfield, carrying one-third of the 1,700-year-old stone obelisk, the BBC reported. The other sections should arrive from Rome within a week.
Italian troops seized the 160-ton obelisk in 1937 and took it to Rome, where it stood outside the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization despite a 1947 U.N. agreement to return it to Ethiopia.
The dismantling and transport of the obelisk is costing Italy an estimated $7.7 million.
Technical difficulties have repeatedly delayed its return, most recently last week when the Axum airstrip's ability to handle the cargo plane was questioned.
The delay was a disappointment for many Ethiopians, for whom the ornately decorated 78-foot obelisk is not only an outstanding example of ancient architecture but also a vital national symbol.
Ethiopian government officials, priests and other VIPs were present as the plane landed. Huge celebrations were due to take place in Axum Tuesday morning.
