Havel bows out as president

LANY, Czechoslovakia (Reuter) - President Vaclav Havel bowed out as Czechoslovakia's president in rueful but relaxed fashion yesterday, leaving his divided country without a head of state as it nears a split.

'I am sad,' Mr Havel admitted as he passed his last hours in office in bright sunshine on the lawn at the presidential country retreat of Lany outside Prague. A crowd of about 400 people, shouting 'We want Havel', watched as the presidential flag was ceremonially lowered at Prague Castle.

(Photograph omitted)