The death of Lebanese former parliament Speaker Hussein al-Husseini was an occasion for officials to reiterate their commitment to the 1989 Taif Accord that helped end Lebanon’s 15-year civil war.
Husseini was known as the “godfather” of the accord that ended the 1975-90 conflict.
He died on Wednesday at 86 after suffering from a strong flu. He was admitted to Beirut’s American University Medical Center on January 3, the state-run National News Agency said. NNA added that Husseini remained in the intensive care unit until his death.
Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati declared a three-day mourning period in the crisis-hit Lebanon while parliament Speaker Nabih Berri postponed a session that was scheduled to take place on Thursday to elect a new president. The elections will be held on January 19.
Berri remembered Husseini as one of Lebanon’s “greats”, who dedicated his life “to defending the nation and its people, unity, and national and popular identity.”
Mikari said Lebanon lost in Husseini a “purely national and constitutional figure”.
“With his passing, we close a bright chapter of distinguished political and parliamentary work,” he added.
He said Husseini left a mark on parliamentary work, punctuating his long career with landmark moments.
He highlighted Husseini’s pioneering role at the Taif conference and credited him in approving the national pact that ended the civil war.
Former Prime Minister Fuad Siniora underscored Husseini’s role in the Taif Accord, as well as his “defense of Lebanon as a nation of coexistence between Muslims and Christians.”
“No doubt the Lebanese people, who are enduring critical conditions on the national and constitutional levels amid the control of unauthorized weapons over the state and national life, will miss Husseini and feel his absence,” he said.
He called for following “Husseini’s path, which he never veered away from, in order to protect and consolidate the national pact that was agreed at Taif.”
By committing to this path, “Lebanon can again return to being a free, Arab, independent and prosperous nation for all of its people,” he stressed.
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdullatif Derian said Lebanon and the Arab world lost a “major symbol and political player.”
Husseini left his mark in history and “honorable stances at parliament, both as speaker and lawmaker,” he added.
The Higher Islamic Shiite Council said Husseini leaves behind a long career that is marked by national and Islamic stances that championed the causes of the nation and ummah.
It noted his role in forming the Amal movement, which is now headed by Berri, and in confronting war and strife between the Lebanese people.
It described him as a “man of dialogue and openness and cooperation between the Lebanese people, who worked tirelessly to fortify civil peace.”
Husseini will be remembered for his moderate stances and patriotism. His name will forever to linked to the Taif accord that helped end the civil war and strife and approve the constitution.
