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Lee Kuan Yew was remembered as the founder of modern Singapore at a state funeral after a procession through the city's streets that drew more than 100,000 mourners despite heavy rain.
"We have all lost a father - we grieve as one people, one nation," Lee Hsien Loong, Lee's son and the current prime minister, said Sunday in a eulogy. "Our shared sorrow has brought us together, and made us stronger and more resolute."
Earlier, crowds lined an almost 10-mile stretch of central Singapore to bid farewell to the country's first elected prime minister, as Lee's body travelled in a gun carriage to the National University of Singapore for the funeral service. The procession was marked by a 21-gun salute, an air force aerial salute and a naval sailpast. "We come together not only to mourn. We come together also to rejoice in Lee Kuan Yew's long and full life, and what he has achieved with us, his people in Singapore," Lee Hsien Loong said during the service attended by 2,200 people, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and former US President Bill Clinton.
"Perhaps it's appropriate that for his state funeral, the heavens opened and cried for him," Lee said.
Thousands of people, many of them dressed in white - traditionally a mourning colour in parts of Asia - lined roads on Sunday in the central business district as heavy rain fell. Huddling under umbrellas, many draped the red and white Singaporean flag over barricades. As Lee's motorcade passed, some shouted "Lee Kuan Yew" and others cried, screamed and cheered.
"The world is a better place for Lee Kuan Yew," said Henry Kissinger, President Richard Nixon's secretary of state. "He taught us about the way Asians think about problems and he explained to us what development meant in a practical sense."
Kissinger and Clinton represented the US at the funeral. Clinton earlier shook hands with Modi - who was dressed in traditional attire - and the two chatted on a balcony on the second floor of the university's cultural hall, with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott joining them as they took their seats along with Abe, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha in one row on the balcony.
Sitting several seats down from Abe in the same row was Chinese Vice President Li Yuanchao. Indonesian President Joko Widodo sat in the row behind.
Singapore Cabinet ministers including Trade Minister Lim Hng Kiang and Communications Minister Yaacob Ibrahim sat on the first floor of the hall in the front row, along with former premier Goh Chok Tong. As President Tony Tan entered with his wife, people rose to their feet. An orchestra played as the motorcade carrying Lee arrived at the university.
Ten eulogies
Lee Hsien Loong delivered the first of 10 eulogies, followed by Tan and Goh. The prime minister described his father as a "fighter".
"In crises, when all seemed hopeless, he was ferocious, endlessly resourceful, firm in his resolve, and steadfast in advancing his cause," he said.
A public warning system served as a call for the nation to observe a minute of silence. A private cremation ceremony followed.
"People decide to brave the heavy rain and send our founding father off, so we do what we can to make them feel more comfortable," said Tan Ling, 15, a student at Chung Cheng high school who handed out ponchos to those packing the streets along with about 40 of her school mates.
Hundreds stayed on in the financial district after the procession passed, watching live coverage of the motorcade on a giant screen.
"We are all beneficiaries because of Mr Lee's foresight and economic policies," said Chee Junn Yeow, 44, whose wife Brenda sobbed as the gun salute rang out. "Whatever our political differences are, all Singaporeans are here today because of one man - Lee Kuan Yew."
