Minister of Information, Manal Abdel Samad Najd, sent a cable of condolences on Sunday to the family of the late journalist Sandro Petrone and the Italian press, saying: "We have received, with deep sadness, the news of the death of the veteran Italian journalist Sandro Petrone. He was a friend of Lebanon and a seasoned professional journalist, who would be missed by the Italian and international media for his work, his professionalism, and his defense of the truth. My sincerest condolences go out to his family and to you."