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The message from the Russian President said, in part:

“I would like to express my deep and sincere condolences on behalf of the Russian leadership and all Russians on the grievous loss suffered by the people of a friendly nation, Syria: the untimely death of President Hafez Assad.

“Gone is a man who played a historic role in the development of Syria. Hafez Assad, who for many years was the unchallenged leader of the Syrian Arab Republic, earned great and well-earned prestige all over the world.

“Hafez Assad was one of the most vivid and outstanding political personalities of our time.

“In Russia, Hafez Assad was well known as a friend of our country, one who had done a lot to develop Russian-Syrian cooperation.

“We share the feelings of grief experienced by those near and dear to Hafez Assad and convey our sympathies to them.”