AFP - Edward Kennedy will be buried on Saturday beside his brothers at Arlington National Cemetery following a private funeral mass and memorial service in Boston, his family said.
   
President Barack Obama, who considered Kennedy a friend and political mentor will speak at the mass, before likely returning to the east coast island of Martha's Vineyard to end his vacation, an administration official said.
   
There are no plans for Obama to attend the private burial service at Arlington cemetery, where Kennedy will be laid to rest close to his assassinated brothers, ex-president John Kennedy and Robert Kennedy.
   
The body of Senator Kennedy will lie in state for the public to view on Friday from 10:00 am (1400 GMT) until 4:00 pm (2000 GMT) at the John Fitzgerald Kennedy presidential library in Boston, a statement said.
   
A private memorial service will be held at the library from 5:00 pm (2100 GMT) on Friday, before a funeral mass the following morning at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica, also in Boston.
   
The burial service at Arlington National Cemetery, near Washington, will begin at 5:00 pm on Saturday (2100 GMT).
   
"Senator Kennedy will be laid to rest next to President (John F.) Kennedy and Senator Robert Kennedy," said the statement, released by officials.
   
"The nation's resting place for its heroes, Senator Kennedy spent more days than most at Arlington visiting the graves of his beloved brothers and paying tribute to the fallen men and women of Massachusetts who gave their lives for our country," it said.
   
Edward Kennedy died late Tuesday at 77 after a 15-month battle with cancer.
   
The statement outlining the funeral and burial arrangements also noted the special significance of the church and the library.
   
"Senator Kennedy spent decades building the Library built for his beloved brother, President John Kennedy, into a national treasure as a place of debate on the issues important to the American people, and source of inspiration for future generations of public servants.
   
"While his daughter, Kara, was battling lung cancer at a nearby Boston hospital, Senator Kennedy attended Our Lady of Perpetual Hope each day and prayed for Kara and her recovery. Over time, the Basilica took on special meaning for him as a place of hope and optimism," it said.
   
The Kennedy family are due to leave their home near Hyannis Port in Massachusetts on Thursday with the late senator's body.