Defence Minister Tasos Mitsopoulos, who passed away on Saturday aged 48, will be buried on Monday, at noon, in his home town Larnaca.

Government Spokesman Christos Stylianides, speaking after an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the Presidential Palace chaired by President of the Republic Nicos Anastasiades, said that the Council of Ministers expressed its deepest sorrow for the untimely loss of Defence Minister Tasos Mitsopoulos, a fine politician and unique man.

The Cabinet observed a minute’s silence at the beginning of the meeting. A bouquet of white roses and a photograph of the late Minister were placed at his seat.

The Spokesman said the Cabinet decided, as a sign of respect, to declare three days of mourning as of tomorrow, Sunday, until Tuesday, during which the flag of the Republic of Cyprus will fly at half mast at all military camps and government offices.

During the mourning, all official events will be cancelled and the members of the government and other state officials will not be attending any public events.

President Anastasiades will deliver the eulogy at the funeral of Mitsopoulos which will be held on Monday, noon, at St. George Kontou Church in Larnaca, the Minister’s hometown.

All doxologies and parades for Tuesday`s celebration of Greek Independence Day will take place as scheduled, as an honour for the deceased, Stylianides added.

A book of condolences will open at the Ministry of Defence from Sunday until Monday. On Monday, a book of condolences will open at the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Athens as well as the Permanent Representation of the Republic in Brussels.

“Tasos Mitsopoulos was not merely a Cypriot politician”, the Spokesman remarked.

President Anastasiades and members of the Cabinet will sign the book of condolences at the Ministry of Defence on Sunday morning.