, east of Beirut.

The ceremony was attended by the country's top officials. President Emile Lahoud, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Fouad Siniora marched in the state funeral procession, along with former first lady Mona Hrawi.

Prime Minister Fouad Saniora said Hrawi was a great man who played a major role in rebuilding the Lebanese government. President Lahoud said that Hrawi's name will always be coupled with the end of the Lebanese civil war and the unification of the country.

MP Walid Jumblatt, head of the Progressive Socialist Party, said that the late president and late Hariri "were partners in a critical period of Lebanon's history; they have protected the resistance and deployed all efforts to preserve the minimum of Lebanon's independence."

The list of the attendees includes:
. Former Speaker Hussein Husseini
. Former Prime Ministers Amin Hafez, Rashid Solh, Salim Hoss, Omar Karami and Najib Mikati
. Several MPs from different parties and parliamentary blocs
. Many Ministers , including Fawzi Salloukh, Khaled Qabbani, Neameh Tohme, Charles Rizk, Ahmad Fatfat, Tarek Mitri, Michel Pharaon, Mohammed Safadi, Marwan Hamade, Jihad Azour and Jean Hogasapian.

Ghassan al-Lahham, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, represented Syrian President Bashar Assad who sent a telegram addressed to the Hrawi family in which he praised the former president.

Lebanese Army soldiers carried Hrawi's coffin, which was draped with a Lebanese flag, in a procession from Gemmayzeh to the St. George Maronite cathedral in downtown Beirut.

The Mass was presided over by Beirut Bishop Boulos Matar, representing Cardinal Sfeir, who is currently on an official visit in the United States of America.

Here are some pictures of the funeral courtesy of Delati & Nohra:

Mrs.Mona Hrawi , widow of former President Elias Hrawi Crying

Lebanese leaders walk behind the coffin of former Lebanese President Elias al-Hrawi during a funeral procession in downtown Beirut on July 9, 2006.

MP.Ghassan Tueini Managing Director of Al Nahar offering condolences to former first lady Mona Hrawi

MP Walid Jumblat & Mrs.Noura Jumblat offering condolences to former first lady Mona Hrawi

Presidential candidate MP Boutros Harb offering condolences to former first lady Mona Hrawi

The Troika: Former President Hrawi surrounded by Speaker Berri ( L) and former slain PM Rafik Hariri ( R)