GV: MPLA Party building where body is lying in state.

GV PAN FROM: Building TO mourners entering door. (2 shots)

GV PAN ALONG: crowd queuing (2 shots)

GV: Funeral procession begins, ZOOM INTO coffin on carriage

SCU: Mourners weeping along route

Procession along route

GV: Troops in slow march behind coffin

GV: Army jeeps behind coffin
Initials RH/ Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The body of Angola's first President - Agostinho Neto - was borne through the streets of Luanda on Monday (17 September) in a solemn funeral procession. The President died in Moscow last week after undergoing surgery for cancer.

SYNOPSIS: After being returned from Moscow the President's body lay in state in Luanda's National Commissariat building. Thousands of people queued outside to pay their last respects to the man who led Angola to independence from Portugal four years ago.

Doctor Neto went to Moscow on what was officially termed a friendly visit. However, he was put immediately into hospital and operated on 48 hours later. An announcement of his death said he'd succumbed to kidney, heart and arterial complications after doctors found a cancerous tumour in his pancreas.

The President's funeral service was held on what would have been his 57th birthday. The glass topped coffin, draped with flags was borne on a carriage led by nine army majors carrying the decorations awarded to Doctor Neto during his life.

The coffin was followed by Dr. Neto's family, members of the ruling MPLA party, and a group of ten Presidents including Antonio Ramalho Eanes of Portugal and Zambia's Kenneth Kaunda. Many other countries including the Soviet Union sent representatives. Dr. Neto's body has been preserved and will be displayed in a specially built mausoleum.