Turkey declares national mourning after demise of former TRNC president Denktas

ANKARA (A.A) - Turkey declared national mourning as of January 14 till January 17 after the demise of former president Rauf Denktas of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). Turkish Prime Ministry also decided that flags would fly at half mast across the country and in foreign representations until Denktas was laid to rest. Denktas' funeral ceremony will be held on January 17. Denktas had a partial paralysis caused by an embolism on May 24, 2011. After his first surgery in Lefkosa, he underwent another operation at Ankara's GATA on August 25. Rauf Denktas was taken to TRNC on August 30, and his treatment continued at the Near East University Hospital. Denktas underwent another surgery at the hospital on September 5 due to an increasing cerebral hemorrhage. Denktas was hospitalized again on January 8 after experiencing diarrhea and asthenia. He died at the age of 88 on Friday.