President of the House attended memorial service of former President Ferrier

The President of the House, Ms Gerdi Verbeet, attended the memorial service of Mr Johan Ferrier, former President of Surinam, in the Kings church (Koningskerk) in Amsterdam.  Mr Ferrier died on Monday 4 January 2010, aged 99.

President
As Surinam's last governor in 1975 when the former Dutch colony gained independence, Mr Ferrier became the country's first President. He served in that capacity until 1980.

Mourning
Surinamhas declared four days of mourning, during which time all flags will be flown at half-mast. Mr Ferrier was buried on Monday 11 January during a private ceremony in Oegstgeest, where he had been living since 1980.