[WATCH] Dom Mintoff’s funeral cortege

Reporting together with Bianca Caruana

The body of Dom Mintoff will lay in state at the main entrance of the Palace, Valletta. President George Abela, followed by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and leader of the Opposition Joseph Muscat, are expected to pay their last respects to the former Prime Minister, between 9am and 1pm. tomorrow.

The public can pay their last respects between 4 and 7pm tomorrow and on Saturday between 7.30 and 9.30am.

9:20pm: The cortege reaches the President's Palace where Dom Mintoff's body is to lay in state until the funeral is held on Saturday at St John's Co-Cathedral in Valletta where Mass praesente cadavere will be held.

9:18pm: A man tells MaltaToday that Mintoff's funeral "has been blown out of proportion".

9:15pm: The Funeral Cortege reaches St George's Square and is welcomed by chants of, "Viva Mintoff! Viva Mintoff!"

9:00pm: In the heart of Valletta near the President's Palace, more people continue to join the throng of people already present.

8:45pm:  St George's Square is lit up with bright spot lights where a massive emotional crowd gathering as the band approaches.

8:30pm: The cortege stopped for a few moments at City Gate where Valletta Mayor Alexei Dingli and members of the local council, the Valletta PL committee members and the National Philharmonic Society La Vallette and The King's Own band club accompanied the hearse from Republic Street to the President's Palace.

8:15pm: The coffin was then returned to the hearse and the cortege is currently making its way through Floriana to eventually continue the procession through Republic Street, Valletta towards the Presidential Palace.

8:08pm: Another man deep within the crowd shouted out, "Are you not calling him a traitor any longer?" and was immediately told to quieten down by avid supporters surrounding him.

8:05pm: One man shouts out, "Salvatur! Is-Salvatur Mintoff!" (Our Saviour) much to the joy of everyone present who cheers him on.

8:00pm: The coffin carrying Dom Mintoff's body is raised in front of the entrance of the Labour Party headquarters in Hamrun.

An emotional Opposition leader Joseph Muscat, places the wreath of flowers on the coffin, followed by the National Anthem.

7:53pm: The crowd breaks into a loud applause as the procession, together with the band, fast approaches.

7:45pm: Labour Party members and supporters wait outside the entrance.

One woman holds a wreath of 35 roses symbolising the 35 years Dom Mintoff served as Malta's Prime Minister.

A PL representative explains that there are 34 white roses and one red rose symbolising unity. The single red rose represents love, respect and courage.

7:19pm: People chatter away in front of the PL Headquarters in Hamrun as they await the funeral cortege and band which can be heard in the distance.

A number of individuals can be overheard talking about their fond memories of and praise for Dom Mintoff.

7:05pm: The Funeral Cortege is currently in front of the entrance of the former Radio City where Hamrun Mayor Vince Bonello together with his council members join the band procession to the entrance of the PL Headquarters.

6:46pm: Larsson Pisani told MaltaToday, "Mintoff was the country's architect. He never pursued luxuries or vested interests. Even after his death, he has been recognised the world over."

6:44pm: Desiree Attard, being just 19-years-old, could not say she had first-hand experience of Mintoff's leadership. "However, having studied the Constitution and political development of our country, I feel I can safely claim or state that he was the Father of social services. But more importantly he was the one to try and change the people's colonial mentality to that of a truly independent one."

6:42pm: Andrew Camilleri, a PL supporter waiting outside the Labour Party Headquarters in Hamrun, said, "Mintoff was the person who brought Malta into a modern era. He was a person who had all the Maltese characteristics, both good and bad."

6:40pm: Demelsa Grech, a PL prospective candidate with the Gudja Local Council for March 2013, tells MaltaToday, "I don't recall Mintoff as a Prime Minister much but as a Maltese citizen, I have seen a lot of the fruit reaped as a result of his achievements for the country."

6:30pm: Dom Mintoff's funeral cortege leaves Bormla for Marsa where Mayor Chris Spiteri and other members of the Local Council pay their last respects.

6:10pm: Labour MP Leo Brincat tells MaltaToday when asked to explain how he viewed Mintoff, that, "It's very positive that Mintoff was remarked about positively after his passing, even by some of his biggest arch-enemies. One has to look at Mintoff in the way he pursued single-handedly his political career. One can't avoid saying that the man made several achievements in his political career. Demonising him is not the right way forward."

6:00pm: Swarms of Mintoff supporters solemnly await the cortege to arrive in Hamrun.

5:55pm: Cortege stops in front of PL Club in Bormla.

Funeral marches are currently taking place with Kalkara Mayor Michael Cohen and the Labour Party Committee members in attendance.

5:40: One man who was teary-eyed could not resist telling MaltaToday that Mintoff was a great inspiration to him, "My idol has passed away... I have lost a large portion of my identity but the Great Perit will always remain in my heart!"

5:20pm: 21 white doves are released by bystanders symbolising what they understand to be peace in the Mediterranean.

5:10pm: Cortege leaves for the Labour Party club of Bormla, followed by a stop in front of St George Band Club where Mintoff served as president for nearly 50 years.

5:00pm: Mary Spiteri sings as the hearse pulls up in front of the monument. Spiteri greets Fr Dionysius Mintoff and other family members in front of the Freedom Monument. Emotions ensue.

A number of women hold tissues and wipe away tears as Mary Spiteri sings “Tema 79”. Another long round of applause follows.

4:59pm: Hundreds gather around the Freedom Monument in Birgu once again chanting “Mintoff! Mintoff!” and cheering.

4.56 pm: Some spot the hearse across the harbour and start pointing out to it, calling out to others: "There he is! Look, there he is!" All start applauding.

4:44pm: Hundreds of supporters greet the cortege in Isla and burst into applause while flowers are being thrown on the hearse carrying the coffin.

4:35pm: Funeral cortege arrives to another crowd in Paola who chant, “Mintoff! Mintoff!” accompanied by several rounds of applause.

4:30pm: Cortege leaves Tarxien for Paola.

4:25pm: Funeral cortege arrives at Tarxien church to an eagerly awaiting audience who emotionally chant “Perit, perit!" hysterically.

4:20pm: Funeral cortege leaves for Tarxien Square where Mayor and council members are expected to pay their last respects to the former Prime Minister.

4:15pm: Family arrives at Tarxien home just before coffin is carried into his home for a few moments.

4:00pm: A couple of hundred Mintoff followers gather outside his home in Tarxien.

A woman weeps hysterically while holding a picture ('santa') of her father Saviour Stivala (Salvu l-papa) who she claims was at school with Dom Mintoff and was an ardent follower of his.

“I wish I can bring my father back from the dead to be able to live this day only. My father was an ardent follower of the former Prime Minister,” she told MaltaToday.