French bid farewell at coffin of ex-president Chirac

PARIS: Thousands of people on Sunday queued in Paris to bid a final farewell to France's former president Jacques Chirac, fondly remembered as a charismatic giant of domestic and international politics despite a mixed legacy.

But it also sparked questions about how much this consummate political operator had actually achieved during a long spell in office and again threw the spotlight on a 2011 conviction for graft over his time as Paris mayor. Thousands lined up in a queue that wound around the Invalides complex, where Napoleon Bonaparte is buried, for almost a kilometre, braving the rainy weather and the prospect of a long wait."Chirac represented a certain era," said Marin Menzin, 21."If he had seen the queue today, he would have jumped into the crowd to shake hands."The national day of mourning in France Monday will see a minute of silence observed in all public institutions and schools.

The Elysee said around 30 heads of state and government are expected to be present, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Hungarian Premier Viktor Orban and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Former leaders who worked closely with Chirac, notably including German ex-chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, will also be there.In a rare public appearance, the third president of France's modern fifth republic Valery Giscard d'Estaing, 93, will also be present.

"Having dedicated his life to public service, former President Chirac worked tirelessly to uphold the values and ideals that we share with France," Pompeo said in a statement. Players and supporters at one football match observed a minute of silence as one of the tributes to Chirac AFP/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN

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