The House Speaker Nabih Berri announced the death of Syrian President Hafez Asad saying:

"In the name of House Parliament, I announce to the Lebanese and Arabs the loss of the Greatest in this era, President Hafez Asad, who defended Lebanon against all conspiracies, he had not closed his eyes before liberating its South. I can find no condolence word to Dr. Bachar and all his family except that I and the whole of Lebanon are partners in condolences."

Prime Minister Dr. Salim Hoss declared the following:

"With great sorrow and regret the Lebanese Government announces the death of the Great Arabic Leader who spent his life struggling to defend the Arab affairs, having deep in his conscience the Nation's sorrows, and in his great heart their hopes and pains, President Hafez Asad, May God have mercy on him.

At the terrifying calamity that fell on Lebanon deeply in its heart, and in gratitude to what the Great Deceased had offered to, of efforts, mind and heart, we announce the official mourning in Lebanon for one week starting from today. All the flags are dropped down on the entire Public departments and establishments. The TV and Radio broadcasting programs will be limited to the requirements of this painful occasion.

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Speaker's Vice President Elie Firzli saw that Syrian President Hafez Asad's absence leaves a great blank which might lead to big danger, was it not for the presence of Brigadier General Dr. Bachar Asad who will fill such blank, and who is able to cope with all the files and establishments that were represented by President Asad during his life."

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President Rafic Hariri announced Syrian President's death by a TV word, saying:

"The Arab Nation lost a great figure, one matured in its history, an exceptional man who was well-polished by life to love his nation, to strive for the progress of his people, to defend his nation's rights and to triumph to its national and patriotic affairs.

He is the Great Deceased, President Hafez Asad, Syria's beloved, its Leader and President, the chief of its road, the glamorous symbol of its development, power and its distinguished role in its Arab world and environment, for more than thirty years.

Today, all the Arabs miss him, a firm struggler, owning the leaders' power, thinkers' wisdom, the pious' creed, the nobles' pride, the smart people's intelligence and clear sightedness, that would not be lost in the seas of puzzle.

He, having such intelligent mind, was a distinguished mark in the Arab political life. He led a realized attempt that nobody could administer such struggle towards the principle national questions, first of which was the Palestinian Question.

Here Palestine misses Hafez Asad today, the only guard for the Arab dreams, an eye on Jerusalem, the Holy Land, and another on the hundreds of thousands of refugees waiting their destiny which remains hung between returning and splitting.

Lebanon experiences the painful echo that resulted from President Hafez Asad's absence, which is equal in pain with our brothers in Syria.

Whole Lebanon cries this night its man who had stood steadily with open hands to help, support and aid during its difficult and dull days.

Lebanon cries its brother, who had stood firm facing the conspiracy against Lebanon, till he let it fall.

Lebanon cries the partner, the ally, the friend, and the colleague, who was never stingy in offering it the support to its unity, integrity, arabiscism and security, using all means of sacrifice.

We, in Lebanon, cry the first Resistor, the conscience of the Resistance, the Leader who engaged the Lebanese in regaining their territories and triumphing over Israel.

But, you, the Great Deceased, divided you heart between the South and Golan. Your soul is satisfied for the liberation that Lebanon had, and it rests at the promise of resuming the struggle till the liberation of every inch of the beloved Golan.

It is the promise of honor from Bachar Hafez Asad, the good omen to Syria, all the Arabs, and the world, God protects him, fixes his paces and aids him in leading the beloved Syria.

Glory to the Great Deceased, may God have mercy on him, and best true prayers to his successor, wishing to the latter and to Syria, permanent success, prosper, and development."

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Prime Minister's Vice President and Interior Minister Engineer Michel EL Murr said in announcing the death of Syrian President Hafez Asad:

"A great loss to Arab world, Syria, Lebanon and to all who seek the right and Arab dignity. He resembled an everlasting national symbol."

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Minister of Agriculture, Housing and Cooperatives Sulaiman Franjieh expressed the following:

"Hafez Asad's absence is not only a loss to Syria and its fraternal nation, but a big loss to Lebanon, Arab world, and all countries who love peace and justice, as well. The Deceased President was the constructor of Syria's development, the defender of Lebanon, and the fair rights of Arab nation.

His painful absence is a personal loss to me, because the Great Deceased was to me, the father and the eldest brother who surrounded me with his great care and passion since my father's martyring, and the death of my grandfather, President Sulaiman Franjieh, who had a strong relation with him, built on confidence, fulfillment and belief in one Lebanon, united in land, nation and establishments.

Although we miss President Hafez Asad, and cry him with the Syrian fraternal people, we also have great confidence in Dr. Bachar Asad who will continue the road that the Deceased President had drawn to him. He will be honest, fulfilled and loyal to the principles that his father believed in,, worked for and struggled to achieve till the last hours in his life, dedicating himself for the rise of Syria, the prosperity of its people, and defending the Arab rights, so he became the Conscience of the Arab Nation and the Guard for its dignity."

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MP Walid Joumblatt declared that "President Hafez Asad remained till the last moment in his life, hanging to the principles of Firmness and Challenge, where he refused giving up, on the account of the Arab and Syrian dignity. He, who had led in 1973, the glorious liberation War, together we miscarried the Agreement of 17 th of May, the humiliating and disgracing agreement, and with his aid he reached with the national forces to the implementation of Al Taef Treaty, and the end of the Civil War.

Syria sponsored during his leadership the Islamic National Resistance, then was the triangle of Firmness and Confrontation that was consisting Lebanon, Syria, and Iran Islamic Republic. The Region will remain unstable unless the West becomes aware of the fact that the Arab dignity is protected here in Syria, Lebanon and Palestine."

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Minister of General Works and Transportation Najib Mikati spoke the following:

"By President Hafez Asad's absence, the Arab world misses a big leader whose presence occupied the Arab field throughout three decades. This is considered as a realized and distinguished state. He used to be a strong defender for the Arab fair rights, never accepting bargain on Arab's dignity, and values, but on the contrary, he worked for such dignity, and for the fair, comprehensive and permanent Peace.

Fraternal Syria looses its President, who led it to the path of pride development, and returned to it its distinguished role and presence in the world.

Lebanon, in its turn, misses its eldest brother who firmly worked to maintain its unity, in land and people, and to prevent its partition. He also, contributed in rebuilding its national establishments, and in sponsoring the Civil peace track. He stood with its Army and national Resistance till achieving the liberation of its South and West Bekaa from the Israeli occupation.

At this terrifying calamity that hurt Lebanon, Syria and Arab world, words stand still unable to express what is in the heart of sorrow and sad feelings for the President Asad's absence. At the time where we all need his stances, wisdom, and experience, our condolence will be compensated by the existing fact that his principles and moralities that he defended and worked for during his past life, are going to be continued by his son Dr. Bachar who assumes the Trust, loyally, in commitment and fulfillment, in order to build a future which Late President hoped to be better for Lebanese and Syrian peoples according to his last words spoken during the telephone conversation with President Major General Emile Lahhoud."

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