Wednesday 22nd February 1978.

Footage of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat leading mourners at the funeral of 15 Egyptian Army commandos who were killed in a firefight with soldiers of the Cypriot National Guard during a botched rescue operation in the Cypriot city of Larnaca.

The Egyptian Special Forces "Unit 777" which had been newly created by President Sadat had been deployed to Larnaca International Airport where a hijacking incident had led to the taking of Arab hostages who were attending a conference in Nicosia.

The hostage crisis had ensued after two assassins had killed Yusuf Sibai, a prominent Egyptian newspaper editor who had been appointed as Minister for Culture. Sibai had been assassinated by gunmen because of his support of Sadat's efforts to reach a a peace agreement with the State of Israel.

The assassins were later claimed to have been in the service of the Abu Nidal Organisation.

The Egyptian forces landed in Cyprus intent on arresting the hostage-takers without informing the Cypriot authorities. The hostage-takers threatened to kill the hostages by grenades unless the Cypriot authorities produced a plane which would fly them out of the country. The Cypriots acceded to this demand and a decision was made to take them on board of a DC8 Cypriot plane.

The Egyptian attempt to rescue hostages on the commandeered plane led to an exchange of gunfire between the Egyptians and Cypriot soldiers.

The incident led to Egypt breaking off diplomatic relations with Cyprus with Sadat claiming that he no longer recognised Mr Kyprianou as the Cypriot President. He referred to Kyprianou as a 'political dwarf'. The Egyptians ccused the USSR, Syria and Libya of aiding a Palestinian group in the act of terror.

The funeral was held at the military parade ground at Nasr City on the outskirts of the capital, Cairo. Thousands were in attendance.

Reuters news recorded the following:

"The funeral turned into an anti-Cypriot and anti-Palestinian demonstration as tens of thousands of people watching it shook their fists and demanded revenge.

The marchers were shouting slogans like "Down with Cyprus" and "No Cypriots on Egyptian soil".

Later, President Sadat conferred with his War Minister, General Muhammad Gamassi and leaders of the armed forces. Their meeting followed a ceremony at which the leaders of the commando raid were decorated for bravery."

Source of footage: Reuters News Archive.

Further information:
New York Times report.
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Egyptian raid on Larnaca International Airport
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