1.
GV FUNERAL PROCESSION
0.07

2.
LV BAND MARCHES TOWARDS CAMERA
0.11

3.
LV GIANT WREATH BEFORE FUNERAL CARRIAGE
0.28

4.
SV CARRIAGE
0.39

5.
SV CARRIAGE STOPS
0.44

6.
SV PAN BAND PAST CAMERA
0.54

7.
SV TROOPS SLOW MARCH
1.14



Initials JRG/S/RM/PN



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: EGYPT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) BID FAREWELL TO ONE OF ITS MOST EMINENT SOLDIERS - FIELD MARSHAL AZIZ EL MASRI. THE STATE FUNERAL IN CAIRO WAS LED BY PRESIDENT NASSER, MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNMENT AND CIVIC LEADERS.

FIELD MARSHAL AZIZ EL MASRI COMMANDED WHAT EGYPT CALLED ITS LIBERATION BATTALIONS DURING THE SUEZ CRISIS. BEFORE THE SECOND WORLD WAR, HE WAS CHIEF OF THE ARMY GENERAL STAFF. DURING THE WAR, HE WAS INTERNED BY THE BRITISH AFTER TRYING TO LEAVE EGYPT TO CONTACT THE AXIS POWERS. IN A BOOK HE WROTE LATER, HE CALLED THE BRITISH 'BARBARIC' AND ADVISED ON HOW TO KILL THEM.

EL MASRI WAS CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH THE "FREE OFFICERS" MOVEMENT DURING THE MONARCHY IN HIS COUNTRY. IN 1952, HE BECAME EGYPT'S FIRST AMBASSADOR TO WEST GERMANY.

THE FIELD MARSHAL WAS 87 WHEN HE DIED ON TUESDAY.