Senghor lies in state in Senegal

The body of the founding president of Senegal, Leopold Sedar Senghor, will lie in state today at the National Assembly in the Senegalese capital, Dakar.

Mr Senghor's remains were flown to Dakar yesterday Thursday from France, where he died last week at the age of 95.

At least nine African leaders are expected to attend his funeral which will be held at Dakar Cathedral on Saturday.

Mr Senghor, also a renowned poet, was Senegal's president for 20 years following independence from France in 1960.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service