ARRIVAL OF COFFIN AT ALGIERS AIRPORT, GUARD-OF-HONOUR, PRIME MINISTER BOUMEDIENNE.




Initials RGM/VS/WH/ES



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Background: THE REMAINS OF THE EMIR ABDELKADER, WHO DIED IN EXILE IN DAMASCUS IN 1833 AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESIST THE FRENCH CONQUEST OF ALGERIA FOR 17 YEARS, RETURNED HOME YESTERDAY (MONDAY) TO A HERO'S WELCOME.

A 101-GUN SALUTE WAS FIRED AS THE PLANE BRINGING THE EMIR'S REMAINS TOUCHED DOWN. ALL TRAFFIC IN THE CITY CAME TO A HALT, SHIPS IN THE HARBOUR SOUNDED THEIR SIRENS, AND ALGERIANS STEPPED OUT OF THEIR CARS TO STAND AT ATTENTION AND OBSERVE A FIVE-MINUTE SILENCE IN HIS MEMORY.

PRIME MINISTER HOUARI BOUMEDIENNE AND MEMBERS OF THE 26-MAN REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL, THE COUNTRY'S TOP BODY, AND CABINET MINISTERS WERE AT THE AIRPORT TO GREET THE PLANE.

THE RE-BURIAL TODAY (TUESDAY) IN ALGERIAN SOIL HIGHLIGHTS THREE DAYS OF CELEBRATIONS OF THE FOURTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COUNTRY'S INDEPENDENCE.