Friday will be a public holiday in Papua New Guinea for the state funeral of former prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta.
Sir Michael Somare and James Marape at parliament where Sir Mekere Morauta is lying in state Photo: The Media Team for the Member for Moresby South and Minister for Housing & Urban Development
Sir Mekere's body was returned to the country from Brisbane last week, and has been lying in state at parliament with hundreds of members of the public filing past.
Among them were prime minister James Marape and the country's first prime minister, Sir Michael Somare.
Sir Michael Somare at the coffin of fellow former PNG Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta. Photo: The Media Team for the Member for Moresby South and Minister for Housing & Urban Development
At the funeral, a close friend of Sir Mekere, former prime minister Sir Rabi Namaliu, will read the eulogy while Marape will pay tribute on behalf of the country.
Sir Mekere will be buried in a tomb on Port Moresby's Independence Hill.