Lebanese officials mourn death of former Patriarch Sfeir

Prime Minister Saad Hariri, in addition to ministers, MPs and politicians on Sunday paid tribute to former Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, who died at the age of 99. 

Hariri deemed in a statement that Patriarch Sfeir left a bright page in the history of Lebanon, and will remain alive in the conscience of those who knew him and will be an opportunity for the next generation that will read the history of modern Lebanon. 

"Sfeir is a legacy of spiritual and national values at a difficult stage in the history of Lebanon, with which it rose with steadfastness and courage to the rank of national symbol, which certainly contributed to transforming the course of events in the country," he said. 

Hariri also described the patriarch as a "national symbol", praising his efforts to "transition Lebanon to peace after bloody and destructive conflicts."

In the same context, Deputy Prime Minister Ghassan Hasbani, Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil, in addition to several ministers, MPs and party leaders, expressed their sincere condolences on the loss of Cardinal Sfeir.