LUSAKA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government has said the decision to take the body of the late President Levy Mwanawasa to all the provinces was made after consultations and is aimed at giving a chance to people who cannot afford to travel to Lusaka to pay their last respects, Times of Zambia reported Monday.

    Defence Minister George Mpombo said the decision to take the body to all the provincial centers was not meant to disrespect him and that people should not misunderstand it.

    He said it would be "shallow" politics for people to think that the government was using the death of the president to campaign for the ruling party.

    He said it was the intention of the government and the nation as a whole to honor Mwanawasa.

    "It is distasteful for people to think that we are taking the body of President Mwanawasa to the nine provinces for campaign purposes.

    "How do people expect us to honor a man who worked so hard forthis country?" he asked.

    Meanwhile, Mpombo said the government was still discussing the decision to bury President Mwanawasa at his farm following requests from the public.