A mourning procession has begun in the Iraqi city of Najaf in memory of the late leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah سید Ali Khamenei, and members of his family, Press TV reports.

It is reported that millions of Iraqis, as well as pilgrims from a number of other countries, took part in the funeral ceremonies.

The bodies arrived at the holy shrine of Imam Ali, where they were carried on the shoulders of thousands of mourning Iraqis.

The funeral procession will then continue in the holy city of Karbala.

To mark the occasion, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi declared Wednesday an official public holiday throughout Iraq.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is also taking part in the official ceremony.