Final salute to Taiwan's 'Mr Democracy'

Former Taiwan president Lee Teng-hui was interred in the morning in a ceremony in New Taipei attended by his family and top government officials, including President Tsai Ing-wen, CNA reports.

Lee's daughter Annie Lee, his granddaughter Lee Kun-yi, and other family members left  his family residence in Taipei at around 8:20 a.m., and reached the Wuzhi Mountain Military Cemetery, where the ceremony was held, an hour later.

Following the wishes of Lee's family, the ceremony was not open to the public, with only family members and government officials in attendance.

The officials included Tsai, Vice President Lai Ching-te, Presidential Office Secretary-General David Lee, Presidential Office Deputy Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi, Interior Minister Hsu Kuo-yung and Defense Minister Yen De-fa.

At the ceremony, troops fired a three volley salute to bid a final farewell to Lee.

Out of respect for the late president, national flags at state and public facilities are being flown at half-staff on Wednesday.

Lee, dubbed "Mr. Democracy," passed away on July 30 at the age of 97. He was Taiwan's first democratically elected president and played a crucial role in the country's transition from authoritarianism to democracy.