Simi Valley (California): ): In an emotionally-charged sunset burial ceremony, Ronald Reagan was laid to rest at his Presidential library following a Stately service in Washington at which the Americans and the world leaders bade a lingering goodbye to him in funeral rites shaped by the 40th President of the United States himself.

After the final playing of the "Hail to the Chief" in a funeral service in Washington's National Cathedral, Reagan's flag-draped casket, accompanied by his widow Nancy Reagan, was today (June 12, 2004) carried by a military honour guard into his presidential library for an internment service.

About 720 of Reagan's family and friends, including former British Premier Margaret Thatcher, attended the burial ceremony, which took place in the grounds of the late President's library, where he had chosen to be buried

During the internment ceremony, Reagan's son Ron said that after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for a decade, his father, who died on Saturday last at the age of 93, was now at peace.

"He is home now, he is free. In his final letter to the American people, dad wrote 'I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life', this evening he has arrived," he said.

When the casket was handed to Nancy, she slowly approached the coffin. First she rubbed the casket, then gently lay her cheek on it.