(29 Sep 2019) Thousands of mourners paid tribute Sunday to former French President Jacques Chirac, who on Thursday died at age 86.
Chirac was lying in state Sunday afternoon inside the Invalides monument in Paris, where France honours its heroes.
Among those holding a moment of silence in front of the draped casket and an enlarged photo of a smiling Chirac, were his daughter Claude, her family and relatives, and religious leaders.
A booklet prepared by Chirac's family was handed to those who came to the Invalides titled "Chirac in his own words", including some quotes evoking key moments of Chirac's presidency, like when he defiantly opposed the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, saying: "War is always the worst of all solutions."
A memorial service is planned in the French capital on Monday, with French President Emmanuel Macron and some 30 former or current heads of states and government, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, expected to attend.
A private funeral will take place later that day.
Chirac was France's president between 1995-2007, and during his political career also served as Prime Minister, Paris mayor and a lawmaker.

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