Former French president Jacques Chirac has died: family

18:09, September 26, 2019

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  France mourns late ex-president Jacques Chirac

  The Elysee Palace will be opened for public mourning from Thursday evening until Sunday.Paris' iconic Eiffel Tower went dark to pay tribute to late former French president Jacques Chirac, who died on Thursday at the age 86. Chirac led France from 1995 to 2007. He also served as the mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995. (Photos: VCG)The French Tricolor was flown at half mast at the Elysee Palace to pay homage to late former French president Jacques Chirac. The Elysee Palace will be opened for public mourning from Thursday evening until Sunday.

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  French bid farewell at coffin of ex-president Chirac

  Thousands of people on Sunday queued in Paris to bid a final farewell to Frances former president Jacques Chirac, fondly remembered as a charismatic giant of domestic and international politics despite a mixed legacy.People queue to say a final farewell to former French President Jacques Chirac as the coffin lie in state at the Saint-Louis-des-Invalides cathedral at the Invalides memorial complex in central Paris on September 29, 2019. (Photo: VCG)A massive queue snaked round the Invalides complex to pay homage at Chiracs coffin ahead of a national day of mourning on Monday and a memorial service expected to be attended by dozens of world leaders.Chiracs death on Thursday aged 86 prompted a flood of tributes to a man whose high-profile political career spanned three decades capped by 12 years as president from 1995-2007.But it also sparked questions about how much this consummate political operator had actually achieved during a long spell in office and again threw the spotlight on a 2011 conviction for graft over his time as Paris mayor.Nevertheless, a poll in Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper showed that the French consider him to have been their best president of the modern era, alongside Charles de Gaulle.An initial multi-faith prayer service was held around the coffin in the Saint-Louis-des-Invalides cathedral at the Invalides memorial complex with close family, including his daughter Claude.His wife of six decades Bernadette, 86, was however unable to attend.Members of the public were then allowed in to view the coffin, draped in a French flag and flanked by a picture of a waving Chirac.Thousands lined up in a queue that wound around the Invalides complex, where Napoleon Bonaparte is buried, for almost a kilometre, braving the rainy weather and the prospect of a long wait."Adieu president, we miss you already," read one placard in the crowd."Chirac represented a certain era," said Marin Menzin, 21. "If he had ...

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  Xi sends condolences to Macron over death of Chirac

  Photo: VCGBEIJING, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday sent a message of condolence to his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, over the death of former French President Jacques Chirac, who passed away Thursday at the age of 86.On behalf of the Chinese government and people, Xi expressed deep condolences over the demise of Chirac and offered sincere sympathy to the family of the late French president.Chirac was a world-renowned statesman and strategist, and more than that, he was an old friend of the Chinese people, Xi said in the message.He made significant contributions to establishing and developing the China-France comprehensive strategic partnership, pushing forward all-round friendly cooperation between China and Europe, boosting East-West cultural exchanges and mutual learning, advocating global multipolarization and multilateralism, and safeguarding world peace and stability, Xi said.His death is not only a huge loss for France and the French people, but also a loss of an old and good friend for the Chinese people, Xi said.The Chinese president stressed that he highly values China-France relations and stands ready to make joint efforts with Macron to usher in a new chapter for friendly cooperation between the two countries.On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang also sent a condolence message to French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe over Chiracs passing away, conveying profound condolences and sincere sympathy.