Afghanistan's vice-president laid to rest

World Bulletin / News Desk

The funeral ceremony for Afghanistan's vice-president Mohammad Qasim Fahim, who died of natural causes over the weekend, has taken place.

Engulfed in sorrow, thousands of his supporters, as well as high-ranking officials, foreign guests and diplomats attended the ceremony. Following the ceremony he was laid to rest at a high hill in the capital Kabul.

Delivering a short speech after the funeral prayer President Hamid Karzai said Fahim tried his best to help in the development of the Afghanistan, adding that he left a great void behind him.

Fahim, known also as Marshal Fahim, was a military commander, politician and the vice-president of Afghanistan from November 2009 until his death. He was part of the alliance that ousted the Taliban in 2001 and served first as defense minister before becoming vice-president.

He was a staunch backer of Karzai and commanded great loyalty from former fighters of the Northern Alliance.