National News Agency
The funeral of activist Lokman Slim was held on Thursday in Ghobeiry, in the presence of ambassadors and political, media and religious figures from various sects, as well as family members and friends.
Mother of the deceased, Salma Mershak, delivered the family’s speech, in which she addressed the Lebanese youth by saying: "If you want a homeland, you must cling to the principles for which Lokman was martyred. The burden will weigh heavy on you. Accept the idea of dialogue and the logic of reason to create a country worthy of Lokman. Stay away from weapons; those have taken away my son."
German Ambassador, Andreas Kindl, said: "I met Lokman only twice and the last time was here; we had dinner at this house. His loss is personal to me. My condolences to the deceased's wife, mother, sister and brother. We remember Lokman through his deeds and achievements, which his family shared with him, enriching culture in this country through exhibitions and theatrical works."
He called "not to forget what happened last week," stressing "the need to know the truth and the need for a transparent investigation."
US Ambassador Dorothy Shea, in turn, addressed Slim's family and friends with heartfelt expressions of condolences, stressing that she was "proud to stand today among them to personally convey her sympathies to them."
"We are shocked at the loss of a great figure in this unacceptable barbaric act which we will not forget," she asserted, praising the role of the late in "serving the people of Lebanon and their freedom, which should not be subject to fear or violence."
The US diplomat underscored "the need to unveil the truth of the perpetrator of this heinous crime," and pledged to "continue to support the institutions that he [Slim] established."
"He who does not know the history of Lokman Slim will not understand the present and will not know how to plan for the future," Swiss Ambassador Monica Kirgoz said. "Switzerland has lost a friend and we will make sure that the task he was undertaking will be pursued."
She indicated that "Lokman and his wife began writing the history of Lebanon 5 years ago, and that Switzerland was a partner to them by providing support."
Mother of the deceased, Salma Mershak, delivered the family’s speech, in which she addressed the Lebanese youth by saying: "If you want a homeland, you must cling to the principles for which Lokman was martyred. The burden will weigh heavy on you. Accept the idea of dialogue and the logic of reason to create a country worthy of Lokman. Stay away from weapons; those have taken away my son."
German Ambassador, Andreas Kindl, said: "I met Lokman only twice and the last time was here; we had dinner at this house. His loss is personal to me. My condolences to the deceased's wife, mother, sister and brother. We remember Lokman through his deeds and achievements, which his family shared with him, enriching culture in this country through exhibitions and theatrical works."
He called "not to forget what happened last week," stressing "the need to know the truth and the need for a transparent investigation."
US Ambassador Dorothy Shea, in turn, addressed Slim's family and friends with heartfelt expressions of condolences, stressing that she was "proud to stand today among them to personally convey her sympathies to them."
"We are shocked at the loss of a great figure in this unacceptable barbaric act which we will not forget," she asserted, praising the role of the late in "serving the people of Lebanon and their freedom, which should not be subject to fear or violence."
The US diplomat underscored "the need to unveil the truth of the perpetrator of this heinous crime," and pledged to "continue to support the institutions that he [Slim] established."
"He who does not know the history of Lokman Slim will not understand the present and will not know how to plan for the future," Swiss Ambassador Monica Kirgoz said. "Switzerland has lost a friend and we will make sure that the task he was undertaking will be pursued."
She indicated that "Lokman and his wife began writing the history of Lebanon 5 years ago, and that Switzerland was a partner to them by providing support."
