Clerides state funeral in Cyprus on Tuesday

The state funeral of former President Glafcos Clerides, who died on Friday at the age of 94, will be held in Nicosia on Tuesday November 19.

This was decided on Saturday during an extraordinary Cabinet meeting chaired Acting President and House President Yiannakis Omirou. The Council also decided to declare a three-day official mourning from Saturday to Monday. President Nicos Anastasiades, who will deliver the eulogy and all the members of the Council of Ministers will attend Clerides’ funeral, which will be held at 1100 local time (0900 GMT) at the Holy Church of God’s Wisdom (Tis Tou Theo Sophias).

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides said that flags at all public buildings and schools will fly at half mast. The day of the funeral has been declared a public holiday.

The Council decided the body of Glafcos Clerides to be displayed for public view on Monday from 0900 to 1700 local time, at the Holy Church of God’s Wisdom. Furthermore it was decided to open a book of condolence at the Presidential Palace for signing by members of the diplomatic corps and state officials and to open books of condolence in all the overseas diplomatic missions of Cyprus. An online book of condolences will also be open at www.clerides.org .

During the period of public mourning, all official events, along with the participation of members of the government and the officials of the state in public events, are postponed. The ruling DISY party, which Clerides founded, decided to observe 40 days of mourning and flags will be lowered at all DISY offices islandwide and overseas.