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Levy Mwanawasa buried in Zambia Levy Mwanawasa buried in Zambia
(about 1 hour later)
The late Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa is being buried at a sombre ceremony in the capital, Lusaka.The late Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa is being buried at a sombre ceremony in the capital, Lusaka.
There is a guard of honour and several church choirs at the ceremony in the grounds of the national parliament. There was a guard of honour and several choirs at a church ceremony in the grounds of the national parliament.
Proceedings are being shown on four giant screens in Lusaka, as well as live on national television.Proceedings are being shown on four giant screens in Lusaka, as well as live on national television.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is one of several African leaders present, although Mr Mwanawasa had openly criticised his policies.Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is one of several African leaders present, although Mr Mwanawasa had openly criticised his policies.
On his arrival in Lusaka, Mr Mugabe praised Mr Mwanawasa.On his arrival in Lusaka, Mr Mugabe praised Mr Mwanawasa.
"He was very frank and wanted to change not only his country but the entire southern African region. We will greatly miss him," Mr Mugabe said, according to state radio."He was very frank and wanted to change not only his country but the entire southern African region. We will greatly miss him," Mr Mugabe said, according to state radio.
The BBC's Musonda Chibamba in Lusaka says ordinary Zambians are being told not attend the ceremony but to watch it instead. The mourners were led by Mr Mwanawasa's wife, Maureen, and their six children, reports the AFP news agency.
The BBC's Musonda Chibamba in Lusaka says ordinary Zambians are being told not to attend the ceremony but to watch it instead.
Since being returned to Zambia on 23 August following his death in France, Mr Mwanawasa's body has been taken around the country to let people pay their respects.Since being returned to Zambia on 23 August following his death in France, Mr Mwanawasa's body has been taken around the country to let people pay their respects.
He is to be buried at Embassy Park, near the presidential offices.
Funeral diplomacyFuneral diplomacy
Tanzania's Foreign Minister Bernard Membe said the African leaders would use the funeral to discuss Zimbabwe's political crisis.Tanzania's Foreign Minister Bernard Membe said the African leaders would use the funeral to discuss Zimbabwe's political crisis.
Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete - the current African Union chairman - on Tuesday said he would try to revive the deadlocked power-sharing talks between Mr Mugabe and Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete - the current African Union chairman - on Tuesday said he would try to revive the deadlocked power-sharing talks between Mr Mugabe and Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.Robert Mugabe paid his respects to Maureen Mwanawasa on Tuesday
Mr Tsvangirai also attended the funeral, along with the leaders of South Africa, Botswana, Malawi and Lesotho.
UK Minister for Africa Lord Malloch Brown and US Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi Frazer were also present, AFP reports.
As chairman of the regional body, SADC, Mr Mwanawasa had called Zimbabwe's election an "embarrassment". Last year, he said the country was "sinking like the Titanic".As chairman of the regional body, SADC, Mr Mwanawasa had called Zimbabwe's election an "embarrassment". Last year, he said the country was "sinking like the Titanic".
Mr Mwanawasa died at a military hospital in Paris on 19 August, after suffering a stroke at the African Union summit in June. He was 59. Mr Mwanawasa died at a military hospital in Paris on 19 August, after suffering a stroke at the African Union summit in June. He was 59 and had been in poor health for some time.
He was first elected in 2001, before being returned to power at polls in 2006. He had won praise from the world community for his economic prudence.He was first elected in 2001, before being returned to power at polls in 2006. He had won praise from the world community for his economic prudence.
At home he will probably be best remembered for stripping his predecessor Frederick Chiluba of immunity from prosecution, the BBC's Jonah Fisher says.At home he will probably be best remembered for stripping his predecessor Frederick Chiluba of immunity from prosecution, the BBC's Jonah Fisher says.
Mr Mwanawasa's critics accused him of persecuting his political rivals under the guise of fighting corruption.Mr Mwanawasa's critics accused him of persecuting his political rivals under the guise of fighting corruption.
He was married and had six children. He had been a practising lawyer since 1973. He had been a practising lawyer since 1973.
Under the constitution, elections must be held within 90 days of the president's death.Under the constitution, elections must be held within 90 days of the president's death.