Israelis bid farewell to former PM Sharon

Hundreds of Israelis lined up outside Israel’s parliament building yesterday to pay their last respects to Ariel Sharon, the former prime minister and general who died over the weekend.

Sharon’s coffin was displayed in a plaza in front of the Knesset, where a stream of visitors passed by to take pictures and say farewell.

A funeral service at the parliament building, due to be attended by dignitaries from around the world including US vice president Joe Biden and former British prime minister Tony Blair, is scheduled for today.