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United Nations to observe passing of former UN chief Ghali

Xinhua, February 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United Nations is scheduled to observe the passing of former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali at UN headquarters in New York on Thursday, a UN spokesman said here Wednesday.

"On the occasion of the passing of Mr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, the former secretary-general of the United Nations, a book of condolence will be open to Permanent Missions, UN Staff, and the public on 18 and 19 February from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Visitors' Lobby," spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will sign the book on Thursday morning at 8:45 a.m. local time(1345 GMT), he said.

In addition, the UN Flag will be flown at half-mast on Thursday, he said, adding that Irina Bokova, the director-general of UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, will represent the secretary-general at Boutros-Ghali's funeral in Cairo, Egypt.

Boutros-Ghali, an Egyptian politician and diplomat, died at 93 on Tuesday in Egypt. He served as the sixth UN secretary-general from 1992 to 1996.

Ban on Tuesday hailed Boutros-Ghali as "a respected statesman" and expressed his sadness at his predecessor's death.

"The late secretary-general, Boutros Boutros-Ghali, was a respected statesman in the service of his country, Egypt," said Ban. Enditem