Thousands of mourners yesterday attended the State funeral service of former President Tassos Papasopoulos, The former president died on Friday, aged 74. Archbishop Chrysostomos presided over the service at the new Saint Sophia church in the Nicosia suburb of Strovolos. Papadopoulos served as president from 2003 capping a fifty-year long career in politics until the presidential election in March this year, when he was defeated by the now President Demetris Christofias. Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyianni were among politicians, friends and admirers who paid their last respects to Papadopoulos. Thousands also gathered at the Deftera cemetery to pay their respects with a national guard attachment firing three shots in the air in salute.