DAMASCUS, Syria -- Text of the official obituary of President Hafez Assad, read on state-run television and translated from Arabic by The Associated Press:"Of the believers are men who are true to that which they covenanted with Allah. Some of them have paid their vow by death (in battle), and some of them still are waiting; and they have not altered in the least." (From the Koran: Surah, The Clans, verse 23.)
Fellow citizens, Arabs everywhere, the National and Regional Commands of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, the Central Command of the Progressive Democratic Front, People's Assembly, Council of Ministers, the Armed Forces Command, Vocational Syndicates and Popular Organizations in Syria, the children of the great who departed, Bashar, Maher, Majd and Bushra, the Assad and Makhlouf families, announce to the Arab Nation, the Syrian Arab People, the Secretary-general of the Arab Socialist Baath Party, President of the Republic commander Hafez Assad (has died). In the morning of today, the 10th of June 2000, death has taken a unique commander and wise man.
Oh Syrians and Arabs, the steadfast commander who defended the nation has passed away. The commander who rose with his values, policies, methods has gone. The commander who struggled for more than half a century for the honor of the Arabs, the unity of the Arabs and freedom of the Arabs, protecting their dignity and restoring their rights, has gone. The commander who wrestled hurricanes and was the most courageous in decision-making and strongest in confronting the enemies of the nation and its opponents has gone.
Today, the planet that shone in the sky of Syria and the Arabs for more than three decades has fallen, having given from his brain, body and heart so that the banner of the nation would rise, and having fought, struggled and suffered a lot for his nation. He was a lion in facing misfortunes, difficulties and storms. He was a fighting soldier who believed that a nation without freedom and unity has no value.
Sadness is in the heart of every man, woman and child because the person who died was a piece of the heart, and the legacy of his accomplishments and ideas is a planet that will shine not just on this generation, but also on coming generations.
Peace be upon you president commander. Peace be upon you struggling comrade. Peace be upon you the example of honesty, faithfulness, work and struggle.
"But ah! thou soul at peace! Return unto the Lord, content in His good pleasure! Enter thou among My bondsmen! Enter thou My Garden." (Surah, The Dawn, verses 27-30)
To God we return.