Havana, November 19 (RHC-PL) -– The General Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Congo, Maj. Gen. Guy Blanchand Okoi, praised Cuba's gestures of solidarity with the African peoples.

After paying tribute to Cuban heroes on Tuesday, Lieut. Gen. Antonio Maceo and his assistant Capt. Panchito Gomez Toro, at a Mausoleum in Cacahual, in southwestern Havana, the visitor said his country's relations with Cuba were excellent.

"I'm thinking about all those who lost their lives while carrying out internationalist missions, especially on the African continent," said Blanchard Okoi.

The Congolese official was accompanied by his counterpart, Cuban Army Gen. Alvaro Lopez Miera, who is a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party and First Deputy Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba (FAR) and General Chief of Staff.

"We have come here as brothers and friends to visit the Cuban Army," the Congolese visitor said. And he added that friendly links between Cuba and Congo are very strong, as his country has always supported Cuba and vice versa.

He recalled that Congolese officials received military training in Cuba, and many Cubans have worked in Congo, mainly in the field of health.

"I must say that with my visit, the links between our peoples will be strengthened. As I always say, brothers should meet more often," said Blanchard Okoi.

The Congolese official and his delegation are scheduled to visit military bases and higher education centers, as well as places of historic and cultural relevance.