Nelson Mandela's body lying in state in Pretoria

WATCH: Family of Nelson Mandela and key officials see his body lying in state

 

The body of Nelson Mandela has arrived at the main government building in South Africa's capital, Pretoria, where it will lie in state for three days.

His remains were taken in procession from a hospital mortuary to the Union Buildings.

Members of the public lined the route to form a "guard of honour".

The public, invited heads of state and international guests will be able to view the body of the former president who died last Thursday, aged 95.

He will be buried in his home village of Qunu in Eastern Cape province on Sunday.

Tens of thousands of South Africans joined scores of world leaders for a national memorial service on Tuesday as part of a series of commemorations.

The body of Nelson Mandela arrived at Pretoria's Union Buildings early on Wednesday

Small crowds had gathered as Mr Mandela's body was driven through Pretoria

The mood was celebratory rather than sombre

His coffin was draped in the South African flag

Quick convoy

The procession left the city's 1 Military Hospital shortly after 07:00 (05:00 GMT) on Wednesday. The coffin could be seen inside a black hearse, draped in a South African flag.

It travelled along Kgosi Mampuru Street and Madiba Street on the way to the Union Buildings.

The hearse was in a long convoy with military outriders and military ambulances.

The convoy sped quickly through the streets, with some people running alongside the military guard, the BBC's Joseph Winter in Pretoria says.