More than 10,000 Malaysians of all races thronged the Bunga Raya Complex at the Kuala Lumpur (KLIA) International Airport to greet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on his return from abroad today.

Najib, who was accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, arrived at the complex at 11.05am.

The crowd had gathered to show their support to the Prime Minister for making a humanitarian visit to Gaza, Palestine, before he attended the 2013 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Among the VIPs present to greet them were Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, Human Resource Minister and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Datuk Seri Noh Omar.

Others included Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and Umno information chief Datuk Ahmad Maslan, Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz, People's Progressive Party (PPP) president Datuk Seri M. Kayveas, Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor and Wanita Umno head Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

The crowd made up of people of all walks of life also carried posters and banners captioned among others "Selamat Pulang Pejuang Umat" (Welcome Home the People's Champion), "PM Wira Negara" (PM Our Hero), "We Are Proud To Have A Brave PM" and "We Love PM".

Addressing the crowd, Najib said he was deeply touched by the unexpected welcome and lauded it as it showed Malaysian's unwavering commitment to the Palestinian cause.

He said he took the decision to visit Gaza to see for himself the plight of the people living there and also to convey the support of the people of Malaysia for their cause to be free.

"We have extended aid, our NGOs (non-governmental organisations) have been to Gaza (to lend a helping hand), but (prior to this) we have not been to Palestine in the name of the Government of Malaysia, the people of Malaysia and the Barisan Nasional," he said.

Najib said although his visit was very brief, he did manage to move around Gaza which is densely populated and its residents living in difficult conditions and see for himself the destruction wrought by Israeli bombing, among others destroyed mosques, government buildings and stadiums, all not having any military significance.

He said the attacks had the sole aim of increasing Israeli oppression of the Palestinians and break their spirit, and that he went there to convey the message that they were not alone in their struggle.

"There are some (people) who say we should do all we can to guarantee the security of Israel, but for us, the people of Malaysia, the Barisan Nasional, the government, what we place importance is that Palestinians must get fundamental rights and sovereignty and their security assured," he said.

Najib also said a unity government between Hamas (which controls Gaza) dan Fatah (which controls the West Bank) was important to ensure their struggle (for Palestinian statehood) was not in vain.

"Remember that the cornerstone of everything is unity, unity is very important. The lesson to us in Malaysia is also the same, unity is the pillar to everything.

"We can give moral, financial and political support, but ultimately Palestinians must take steps towards unity. The message that I conveyed to them is that the people of Malaysia are fighters who will always stand firmly behind the Palestinians in their struggle," he said.

Gaza which has a population about 1.7 million is only half the size of Perlis.

Najib, who is the first prime minister of Malaysia to have made an official visit to Gaza, was also conferred an honorary doctorate by the University of Al-Aqsa for his support to the Palestinian cause.