ALBANY, Ga. -- Former President Jimmy Carter returned home late Saturday from the funeral of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, which he called 'an outpouring of respect for a great man.'
Carter, arriving at the Albany Municipal Airport with his wife, Rosalynn, about 11:35 p.m. Saturday, paused for a few brief comments to reporters before boarding a limousine for the 35-mile drive back to Plains.
'There's really no doubt that Egypt is stable and stricken with sorrow,' said Carter, who appeared worn from his 3-day trip. 'But I don't have any doubt either that (Egyptian Vice President Hosni) Mobarak, who was Sadat's chosen successor, has the full support of the Egyptian people.'
Carter said he was impressed that delegations from 90 nations attended the funeral of the slain president, calling it 'an outpouring of respect for a great man.'
Carter said he felt after talking with Mobarak that Mobarak is 'completely dedicated' to carrying Sadat's efforts toward peace.
'Primarily his (Mobarak's) commitment is to carry on the peace process initiated by President Sadat in which Mobarak was involved from the early stages,' Carter said. 'Mobarak has been Sadat's closest political ally, his friend, and is completely dedicated to carrying out the basic purposes Sadat outlined so well.'
Carter said he was impressed with Mobarak's commitment to friendship with the United States, his acknowledgement of the greatness of his predecessor and his commitment to carry out the programs that Sadat initiated.
Carter also said he never feared for his personal safety during his trip to Egypt.
