Madrid, March 24 (RHC) Spain has declared today three days of official mourning for the death of former President Adolfo Suarez, who led the process of transition from the dictatorship of Francisco Franco during the period 1939-1975, to democracy.

The official mourning will conclude at the end of the 24 hours period on March 26th, said the decree, and during that time the Spanish flag will fly at half-mast in all public buildings and Navy ships. Suarez, who died yesterday, will be buried next Tuesday in the cloister of Avila cathedral (Castilla and Leon) while his remains will be placed today at the funeral chapel in the Spanish Parliament in Madrid.

Suarez was the leader of the Democratic Center Union party. King Juan Carlos, who was appointed head of State by Franco, named Suarez prime minister and he was confirmed on that position through elections in 1977.

During his term in office the Constitution was passed in a referendum in 1978 and many reforms of the State were carried out, an amnesty was declared in favor of political prisoners and the Communist Party was legalized.

Representatives of different political trends acknowledged his political career and his ability as mediator in the complex process of transition as well as the coup d'etat attempt on February 23rd, 1981 that jeopardized the newly established Spanish democracy.