Russia beefs up airspace security for Yeltsin's burial

Moscow, Apr 25 (UNI) Russia has beefed up airspace security in the Moscow Region, ahead of the burial of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin today , who died of cardiac arrest on Monday.

The coffin of Yeltsin's body is lying in state, in the Christ the Saviour Church, for people to pay their last respects.

A funeral service for Yeltsin has already begun in the Church which is being conducted by Archbishop Arseny, Russian TV channels reported.

The liturgy will be followed by the burial service, in Moscow's elite Novodevichy cemetery which will be conducted by Metropolitan Yuvenaly together with two more members of the Holy Synod, Metropolitans Kirill and Kliment.

A number of foreign dignitaries, including former US Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Sr., are expected to attend the funeral.

Airspace security has been tightened in the Moscow Region today because of the arrival of high-ranking officials to attend Yeltisn's funeral.

''Radar control of the airspace within a radius of over 250 kilometers from Moscow has been tightened,'' a spokesman for a Russian law enforcement agency told Interfax news agency.

About 20 planes are expected to bring statesmen and other high-ranking officials to Moscow, he said. ''But we do not expect any disruptions at Moscow airports. No rigorous restrictions will be imposed on them,'' he added.

UNI