JERUSALEM (AFP) - Former Israeli premier Ariel Sharon will be buried on Monday afternoon at his southern ranch after a memorial service earlier in the day in parliament, army radio said.

According to the report, Sharon's coffin will be placed at parliament in Jerusalem on Sunday to enable the public to pay their last respects.

Army radio said the coffin would be there between 1000 GMT (6pm Singapore time) and 1600 GMT.

Monday's proceedings will start with a ceremony at Jerusalem's Knesset, or parliament, at 0730 GMT, the report said.

Vice-President Joe Biden will lead a United States delegation to the memorial service, and other world leaders were expected to attend.

The funeral will begin around 1200GMT at Sharon's ranch in the Negev desert in southern Israel.

The 85-year-old died in hospital near Tel Aviv on Saturday after eight years in a coma.