DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE SECOND SESSION OF THE TENTH ASSEMBLY

Tuesday, 19th August, 2008

The House met at 1430 hours

[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_____________

ANNOUNCEMENT

DEATH OF DR LEVY PATRICK MWANAWASA, SC, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to inform the House, that the Acting President of the Republic of Zambia, His Honour Rupiah Banda, MP, has informed the nation that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Dr Levy Patrick Mwanawasa, SC, passed away this morning, in Percy Military Hospital in Paris, at about 1030 hours.

As all of you know, this is a very sorrowful time for our country and the nation. I, therefore, request all of you to join the nation in being calm, courageous and prayerful. Further details on this matter will be given by the Executive.

I now request hon. Members to stand in their places and observe a minute of silence in honour of the memory of our late beloved President.

Hon. Members observed a minute of silence.

__________

SUSPENSION OF THE HOUSE

Mr Speaker: In order for us to prepare for the State Funeral, I suspend Business of the House until further notice. Hon. Members will be informed about the resumption of the Business of the House at a later date.

____________

The House was accordingly suspended indefinitely at 1434 hours.