(CARICOM)- Former Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Sir Lester Bird has died.

The Office of the Prime Minister, in making the announcement, said Sir Lester died at 6:00 this morning.

Sir Lester served as Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister between 1994 and 2004.  He also served earlier in several Ministerial positions including Tourism and Economic Development.

The government has ordered that flags should be flown at half-staff beginning immediately, and  that planning begins for a State Funeral at a date to be decided.