Flags to be lowered in respect of the dead at Virginia Tech

Washington, Apr 17 (UNI) President Bush has ordered all flags in the country would beflown at half mast in the honour of those killed in the nation's deadliest campus shooting spree in Virginia Tech.

The President also planned to speak later today at the institution, where 33 people were gunned down in two separate attacks. He and First Lady Laura Bush will attend a campus convocation "as representatives of the entire nation," according to spokesperson Dana Perino.

''They will be there as the national representatives on a day that is full of sorrow for every American,'' she said. ''He will remark about the amazing strength of the community, and I'm not just talking about the city limits of Blacksburg, but as you have seen that there's been an outpouring of support.'' The Ppresident and the First Lady will be there in the hope lending support to those who had lost their near and dear ones and also to help the university begin the healing process following the tragedy. He will speak for roughly five minutes.

"They are going to be there to express the sympathies, the support and the prayers of the country," Ms Perino said this morning.

Mr Bush is also likely to give television interviews on campus before returning to the White House.

Meanwhile Virginia Governor Timothy M Kaine, who cut short his trip to Japan to deal with the tragedy, was traveling with the President on Air Force One to the convocation.

UNI