Palestinians are attending the funeral of poet and author Mahmoud Darwish, who has died at the age of 67.
Palestinians are lining the streets of Ramallah, on the West Bank, for the funeral of poet Mahmoud Darwish.
The West Bank city of Ramallah has come to a standstill for commemorations to one of the most influential cultural figures in recent Arab history.
Leading mourners, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas described the poet and author as a hero for all Palestinians.
It is expected to be the biggest funeral in the West Bank since that of Yasser Arafat in 2004.
Darwish was one of the most influential cultural figures in recent Arab history, encapsulating the Palestinian longing for independence.
Darwish was instrumental in forging a sense of Palestinian national identity, analysts say.
He died after open-heart surgery in Houston, Texas, on Saturday at the age of 67.
Darwish died after open-heart surgery in Houston, Texas, on Saturday.
The ceremonies in Ramallah are expected to be the biggest funeral in the West Bank since that of Yasser Arafat in 2004.
The poet's body was flown back from the US to Amman, Jordan, where a 26-member honour guard saluted as 12 Palestine Liberation Army officers carried the flag-draped coffin from the plane, AFP news agency reported.
Darwish's body was flown back from the US to Amman, Jordan, on Wednesday where an honour guard saluted as Palestinian Liberation Army officers carried the flag-draped coffin from the plane.
Military helicopter
Military helicopter
Jordan's Prince Ali bin Nayef attended the two-hour ceremony on Wednesday on behalf of King Abdullah.
Jordan's Prince Ali bin Nayef attended the ceremony on behalf of King Abdullah.
The coffin was then taken by military helicopter to the government compound of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in Ramallah.
The coffin was then taken by military helicopter to the government compound of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, in Ramallah.
Mr Abbas led mourners and read a eulogy to the poet.
Mr Abbas led mourners and read a eulogy to the poet.
Afterwards, the coffin was to be taken in procession to Darwish's grave near the Palace of Culture about 4km (2.5 miles) away.
Darwish won many international prizes for his work
Darwish won many international prizes for his work
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool, in Ramallah, says people of all backgrounds in the West Bank feel they had a personal connection to the poet and take pride in a man who told their story in a way they could not.
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool, in Ramallah, says people of all backgrounds in the West Bank feel they had a personal connection to the poet and take pride in a man who told their story in a way they could not.
Darwish was a national icon, whose work was often based on his experiences of life in exile and under occupation.
Darwish was a national icon, whose work was often based on his experiences of life in exile and under occupation.
"He symbolises the Palestinian memory," one Palestinian mourner told the BBC.
"He symbolises the Palestinian memory," one Palestinian mourner told the BBC.
"He intended to convey a message: in the end we are all human beings and we have to work collectively for the sake of humanity."
"He intended to convey a message: in the end we are all human beings and we have to work collectively for the sake of humanity."
Thousands would flock to his recitals. His poems were transformed into popular songs and used in political speeches, and the words he wrote now form part of Palestinian daily life, our correspondent says.
Thousands would flock to his recitals. His poems were transformed into popular songs and used in political speeches, and the words he wrote now form part of Palestinian daily life, our correspondent says.
Fierce criticism
Fierce criticism
Nor was he shy of talking of his people's shortcomings.
Nor was he shy of talking of his people's shortcomings.
Darwish penned fierce criticism of the divisions among Palestinians, believing, in some ways, what they were doing to themselves was worse than anything others had done to them.
Darwish penned fierce criticism of the divisions among Palestinians, believing, in some ways, what they were doing to themselves was worse than anything others had done to them.
He also penned the famous speech Arafat delivered at the United Nations in 1974: "Today I have come bearing an olive branch and a freedom-fighter's gun. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand."
He also penned the famous speech Arafat delivered at the United Nations in 1974: "Today I have come bearing an olive branch and a freedom-fighter's gun. Do not let the olive branch fall from my hand."
There is little doubt his work, not just on the Palestinian cause, but on love and hope and death, will endure across the Arab world, our correspondent says.
There is little doubt his work, not just on the Palestinian cause, but on love and hope and death, will endure across the Arab world, our correspondent says.
How will you remember Mahmoud Darwish? Will you attend a commemoration service?
How will you remember Mahmoud Darwish? Will you attend a commemoration service?
Send your comments using the post form below, or text 00 44 7725 800 100.
Send your comments using the post form below, or text 00 44 7725 800 100.
