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| President Nasheed presenting the flag that draped the coffin of former President Ibrahim Nasir to Ismail Nasir, son of the late President Nasir |
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The body of the Maldives' former President Ibrahim Nasir has been brought back to Male, the capital of the Indian Ocean archipelago where a state funeral has been granted, the Maldivian government said Sunday.
The president's office said on its official website that the body of Nasir was brought to Male Sunday afternoon and its was escorted to the Presidential Palace to be laid-in-state.
Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed, who took oath on Nov. 11, said Nasir had rendered numerous services to the Maldives.
Nasheed decided to grant a state funeral to the former president. Accordingly, this Sunday has been declared as a national holiday and the national flag would be flown at half-mast for seven days.
The funeral is scheduled to be held early Monday, officials said.
Nasir passed away Saturday night in Singapore at the age of 82 after prolonged illness, the president's office said.
Nasir was appointed as the country's prime minister on Dec. 12,1957 and he continued his service in the position for over 10 years. He served as the country's president from Nov. 11, 1968 to Nov. 10, 1978, when he resigned from the post.
On July 26, 1965, Nasir signed an agreement with Britain to gain the full independence of the country.
After resignation, he left the country and resided in Singapore till death.
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