Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Wednesday led a high-ranking delegation to Laos to pay homage to former Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc leads a high-ranking delegation to pay homage
to Laos' former Prime Minister Sisavath Keobounphanh who passes away
on May 12 at the age of 92.

Gen. Sisavath Keobounphanh, former Politburo member, former Prime Minister and former President of the Lao Front for National Construction (currently Lao Front for National Development) passed away on May 12 at the age of 92.

The Party Central Committee, National Assembly, Government and Lao Front for National Development have announced an official five-day mourning period starting from May 12-16, according to Lao News Agency.

The body of the late leader is being kept at the meeting hall of the General Political Department, Ministry of National Defense. 

An official funeral in honor of the former government leader will be held at That Luang Square on May 16 beginning at 13.00.

Gen. Sisavath Keobounphanh served as a member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee from the 1st to 8th tenures, Secretary of the Party Central Committee for the 3rd and 4th terms, and a member of the Politburo during the 4th, 6th, 7th and 8th tenures, the Party Central Committee said in an announcement on May 12.

He also served as Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and Minister of Interior before serving as Vice President of Laos from 1996 – 1998 and Prime Minister from 1998 – 2001, it said.

* The same day, Prime Minister Phuc also met with Lao Party General Secretary and State President Buonnhang Vorachith./.