Assad's Coffin in People's Palace, People Pay HomageThe coffin of late Syrian President Hafez al-Assad has arrived at the People's Palace, where foreign dignitaries are to pay their last respects to the ruler of Syria for three decades.Pall bearing soldiers moved the flag-wrapped coffin from the gun carriage which has borne it from the presidential palace in a one- kilometer cortege, to the main hall of the white marble People's Palace, where the late president will lie in state for five hours. Assad's son, Bashar, who is prone to assume the presidency, was seen together with high-ranking officials at the coffin's side paying homage to Assad. Foreign visitors filed into the building to pay their last respects to the uncompromising Syrian leader and offered condolences to Bashar, who has been named a candidate for president and promoted to commander-in-chief of the armed forces. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |