Flags at half mast at Baabda Palace on Sept. 9, 2022, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. (Credit: Lebanese Presidency/Twitter)
BEIRUT — Lebanon has declared four days of national mourning in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died Thursday evening at the age of 96. Paying tribute to the late monarch, President Michel Aoun hailed her as a "world reference, an example."
Here's what we know:
• Following her death, Lebanon will observe four days of national mourning: three days from Sept. 9 to 11 and an additional day for the funeral of the queen, scheduled for Sept. 18, 2022, ten days after her death. Flags will be flown at half-mast in all municipalities and public administrations, "as will be modified the programs of radio and television channels following this painful event," said the Grand Serail in a statement.
• Lebanon regularly announces periods of mourning for the death of heads of state around the world, as was recently the case with the death of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan, last May.
• Aoun also sent a message of condolence to the new King Charles III, in which he regretted the loss of a "world reference, an example of work and respect for human and moral values, national duty, support for the unity of Lebanon and the peace of its territory."
• "The passing of Queen Elizabeth has saddened the soul of the Lebanese, who knew her for many decades throughout her reign. She was always by their side, especially in the difficult circumstances Lebanon is facing," he also said in remarks reported by Baabda on Twitter, as flags were flown at half-mast at the presidential palace.