A mourning ceremony is held to mourn Albania's former President Bujar Nishani in the presidential palace in Tirana, Albania, June 2, 2022. Albania on Thursday mourned its former President Bujar Nishani, who died at the age of 55 due to severe health complications caused by COVID-19. (Photo by Gent Onuzi/Xinhua)
TIRANA, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Albania on Thursday mourned its former President Bujar Nishani, who died at the age of 55 due to severe health complications caused by COVID-19.
On Wednesday, the government declared June 2 a day of mourning for the country's sixth president.
Albania's national flag will fly at half-mast during Nishani's funeral.
Officials will pay homage to Nishani at the presidential headquarters here in the capital Tirana, where Albanian President Ilir Meta will deliver a speech.
Nishani died on Saturday in Germany, where he was hospitalized for more specialized treatment.
Meta awarded Nishani the National Flag Title -- the highest state title -- in appreciation of his contributions to the country.
The former president, who held the post for five years from 2012 to 2017, was previously a lawmaker representing the center-right Democratic Party of the country. ■
A mourning ceremony is held to mourn Albania's former President Bujar Nishani in the presidential palace in Tirana, Albania, June 2, 2022. Albania on Thursday mourned its former President Bujar Nishani, who died at the age of 55 due to severe health complications caused by COVID-19. (Photo by Gent Onuzi/Xinhua)
A mourning ceremony is held to mourn Albania's former President Bujar Nishani in the presidential palace in Tirana, Albania, June 2, 2022. Albania on Thursday mourned its former President Bujar Nishani, who died at the age of 55 due to severe health complications caused by COVID-19. (Photo by Gent Onuzi/Xinhua)
A mourning ceremony is held to mourn Albania's former President Bujar Nishani in the presidential palace in Tirana, Albania, June 2, 2022. Albania on Thursday mourned its former President Bujar Nishani, who died at the age of 55 due to severe health complications caused by COVID-19. (Photo by Gent Onuzi/Xinhua)
