Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi paid his respects to former President Guido de Marco this morning, along with many mourners who continued to file past the body lying in state at the Palace in Valletta.

Dr Gonzi returned to Malta late yesterday, having interrupted his private overseas holiday to attend today's state funeral.

He was a long-time friend of Prof de Marco since both hailed from Valletta.

The following is the programme of today's state funeral:

9 a.m. to Noon - Lying in state at the Palace, Valletta.

10.30 a.m. The Speaker, Michael Frendo pays his respects.

10.35 a.m. The Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah pays his respects. (He will later also call on President George Abela).

2.40 p.m. - The cortège leaves the Palace for St John's Co-Cathedral. The coffin will be carried on an AFM gun carriage.

3.05 p.m. The cortège arrives at St John's.

3.15 p.m. Arrival of the Commander, AFM, followed by the Prime Minister of Kuwait, the Archbishop, the Prime Minister and the President at 3.25 p.m.

3.30 p.m. Funeral Mass praesente cadavere led by Archbishop Paul Cremona.

4.45 p.m. The cortège leaves St John's and proceeds along St John Street, Merchants' Street, Castille Place and Glormu Cassar Avenue to the War Memorial in Floriana.

It that continues its journey to the Addolorata Cemetery but will stop outside various places in St Joseph High Road, Hamrun, associated with Prof de Marco, including the clubs of Hamrun Liberty, Hamrun Spartans, St Cajetan and St Joseph band clubs and the Parish Church.

The funeral will then continue privately.

Today is the third day of national mourning and flags will fly at half mast.