Lao NA president passed away

VIENTIANE, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Laos' National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane passed away at 11:18 a.m. local time on Saturday, following an illness, Pasaxon newspaper reported.

To honor his contributions and express their deepest condolences, the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and the government have agreed to observe a five-day national mourning period from Aug. 9 to 13.