Singapore Mourns Founding Father Lee Kuan Yew

Singapore has begun seven days of national mourning following the death of its founding father, Lee Kuan Yew.

Mr Lee, who was 91, led Singapore’s transformation from a small port city to one of the wealthiest nations in the world.

World leaders have paid tribute to Mr Lee, who served as the city-state’s prime minister for 31 years.

US President Barack Obama described him as a “giant of history” whose advice had been sought by other world leaders.

The Chinese foreign ministry called him “a uniquely influential statesman in Asia” and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was “deeply saddened” by Mr Lee’s death.

The period of national mourning will culminate in a state funeral next Sunday and Mr Lee’s body is to lie in state at parliament from Wednesday to Saturday.

A private family wake is taking place on Monday and Tuesday.

News of Mr Lee’s death came in a government statement that said he had “passed away peacefully” in the early hours of Monday at Singapore General Hospital. Mr Lee had been in hospital for several weeks with pneumonia and was on life support.

State television broke away from its normal schedules and broadcast rolling tributes.

Source: BBC news