The Iranian government has declared one day of national mourning after the senior cleric and official Ayatollah Mirza Ali Meshkini died.

In a statement, the Cabinet also expressed its sorrow over the demise of the Ayatollah, IRNA reported.

A 2-day public mourning has also been declared in the province of Qom, where the late ayatollah lived.

Ayatollah Meshkini was the chairman of the Iranian Assembly of Experts, which selects Leader of the Islamic Revolution. He was also the author of many books on Islamic jurisprudence and general issues of Islam

Suffering from lung disease, Ayatollah Meshkini passed away on Monday afternoon at 86.

AM/RE