DHAKA: President M Abdul Hamid is set to join the funeral Nelson Mandela, anti-apartheid leader of South Africa, scheduled to be held on December 15.

Press secretary of the president Ehsanul Karim confirmed the matter to banglanews on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh is observing a three-day state mourning from Saturday to pay tribute to former South African president Nelson Mandela, who passed away on Thursday night.

The national flag is flying at half-mast during the next three days at government, semi-government and autonomous organisations, educational institutions, private buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad.

Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of Opposition Khaleda Zia, in separate messages, expressed profound shock at the death and conveyed sympathies to the bereaved family members of Mandela.

BDST: 1620 HRS, DEC 08, 2013