Umno Youth will offer assistance to bring back the body of journalist Claudia Theophilus who was killed in Lebanon by a stray bullet last Saturday.

The 42-year-old, a producer with the Al-Jazeera English news portal, and her colleagues were reportedly playing with rifles when the incident occurred.

NONE The movement's community complaints bureau chairman Muhd Khairun Aseh ( seated on the right ) said two representatives from the bureau would head to Beirut, together with two of Claudia's family members, to make arrangements for the return of her body.

"Our purpose is to gather detailed information on the cause of the victim's death, as well as to expedite the process to bring back the body," Khairun told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Beirut embassy too making preparations

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Senator A Kohilan Pillay said the Malaysian Embassy in Lebanon was making preparations to bring back the body.

Kohilan said the body was expected to arrive at the KL International Airport on Wednesday and be taken to the family home in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

"At the same time, the Lebanese authorities have carried out the post-mortem and are in the midst of completing the documentation," he added.

Claudia, who was based in Doha, Qatar, died two days ago. She is believed to have been struck by a stray bullet in an incident at Baakleen, located in a mountainous area in Lebanon, while with two Lebanese colleagues.

She had worked with The Sun and news portal Malaysiakini .

Much later this evening, Claudia's family asked the media to respect their privacy as they mourn their loss.

A family member said they were still coming to terms with the tragedy.              

"Her sickly parents have been 'harrassed' by the media since news of her death broke.

"We would greatly appreciate if the media can respect our privacy and pray or her soul," said the family member.

Claudia was the eldest of three children.

- Bernama