Yeltsin buried after memorial ceremony

Moscow, Apr 25 (UNI) Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin was buried today at Moscow's Novodevichy cemetery after a memorial ceremony attended by hundreds of dignitaries from all over the world and Russia.

Thousands of Russians lined the cortege route which started at the grand Christ the Saviour Cathedral, where Yeltsin's body was laid in a state from yesterday till noon today to enable the people to pay their last respects.

Before the burial, his widow Naina Yeltsina and two daughters Tatyana and Yelena said their last farewell to him.

After standing at the coffin in silence Naina Yeltsina kissed and crossed her late husband after which a burial litia was conducted.

The coffin was lowered into the grave to the sound of three artillery salvos, after which the Russian anthem was played.

Unlike former Soviet leaders who were buried at Red Square, near the Kremlin wall, Yeltsin was laid to rest in the Novodevichy cemetery alongside Russian and Soviet writers, composers, scientists and politicians.

The funeral was preceded by a church ceremony, the first for a former head of state since before the Bolshevik revolution.

The coffin was taken to the cemetery on a caisson in a funeral procession followed by President Vladimir Putin, two former US presidents, Bill Clinton and George Bush, Sr, former British Premier John Major, Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, representing the British royal family, and other foreign guests.

Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev also attended the burial.

UNI