Lusaka  - Acting Zambian president Rupiah Banda on Monday declared as a public holiday September 3, the day on which the late President Levy Mwanawasa is to be interred.

The date, which also coincides with what would have been Mwanawasa's 60th birthday, is to be observed as a holiday "from now on henceforth," by the wishes of the Zambian general public, announced Cabinet Secretary Joshua Kanganja in nationwide broadcast.

According to Kanganja, Banda signed a statutory instrument into law Monday as a symbol of the significance of Mwanawasa's immense contributions to Zambia.

Kanganja also announced a change in the burial site to the Embassy Park, opposite the Government Secretariat, the seat of Zambia's Cabinet Office.

Kanganja said the change venue was due to high public demand that the late president be buried at a site originally chosen as a burial place for all the presidents of Zambia.

Mwanawasa had intimated that the wanted to be buried at his Palabana Farm but, the decision was made in consultation with his family that the popular president be buried in close vicinity of the government, the statement said. (dpa)