The heads of state of other Arab countries were among the dignitaries who attended the ceremonies to mark the last day of mourning for the late President Nasser in Cairo yesterday (Friday 6 November).

The chief mourners were Nasser's family and the Presidents of three Arab states, President Anwar Sadat of Egypt, President Gaafar el Nimeiry of Sudan and President Muammer Gaddafi of Libya.

The ceremonies of the 40th day of mourning were held at Nasser's grave in the mosque now known as the Nasser Mosque.

The 40-day period mourning for Egyptians heads of state and high dignitaries is a tradition which goes back to the Pharaohs. The ceremonies of the final day began on Thursday night (November 5) and continued throughout Friday, the Moslem holy day.

As well as the ceremonies at the Nasser Mosque and at the Square of the Republic in the heart of Cairo, services of mourning were held throughout Egypt in all of the country's 24 provinces. Crowds gathered at all the ceremonies to listen to recitals from the Koran and eulogies on the dead leader.