Former Antigua and Barbuda PM Sir Lester Bird dies

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Former Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Sir Lester Bird has died at the age of 83.

Bird died at 6 am on Monday morning.

The Office of Prime Minister Antigua and Barbuda announced that the country had lost one of its most distinguished and heroic sons.

In consultation with the Prime Minister who returns to the country on Monday, the acting prime minister has ordered that all flags be flown at half-mast beginning immediately. The government has also ordered that planning to commence for a state funeral at an agreed-upon date would be held.

Sir Lester Bryant Bird was the second prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda who served from 1994 to 2004, and he was also a well-recognized athlete. Sir Bird’s political career began in 1971 he was nominated for the Antigua and Barbuda Senate. He was also named the chairman of the ALP and the Leader of the opposition in that Senate.

Sir Bird first joined his father’s government as deputy prime minister.

In 2014, he was made a Knight of the Order of the National Hero (KNH) by Antigua and Barbuda.