Erdogan consoles Nasrallah over Fadlallah's death
Turkish prime minister calls Hezbollah leader to offer condolences over death of Shiite spiritual leader. Nasrallah thanks him for call and for his stand on Palestinian-Israeli conflict, saying 'your positions have given hope to the Arab and Muslim world'
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences to Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah over the death of Shiite spiritual leader Ayatollah Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah. The Lebanese movement's al-Manar network reported Wednesday that Nasrallah thanked Erdogan and the Turkish nation.
According to the report, Nasrallah spoke with the Turkish leader via telephone following the ayatollah's death which was publicized to Shiites throughout the world. Erdogan expressed his sorrow to the family of Fadlallah and the Lebanese people. Nasrallah thanked him for the call and for his stance in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, saying "your positions have given hope to the Arab and Muslim world."
The ayatollah was hospitalized after a brain hemorrhage and passed away on Sunday.
Fadlallah, 75 years old at the time of his death, was considered one of the most significant Shi'ite spiritual leaders and a fierce critic of Israel and the US. Due to his religious positions, he was also considered the unofficial spiritual leader of the Hezbollah movement.
Nasrallah also expressed his sorrow during the last few days.
"Today we lost a merciful father, a wise teacher and a strong staff," Nasrallah said. "At his school, we learned to reject injustice, oppose the occupation and crave our meeting with Allah. He was the light in whose splendor we walked. His good word and determined stance will stay within us and guide us in acting for jihad."
In addition, Hezbollah issued an official condolences notice.
"Lebanon and the Islamic nation lost a wise man and outstanding fighter, who stood bravely… against the Zionist enemy," the notice said.
Fadlallah's funeral was held Tuesday after hundreds of thousands of Lebanese Shi'ites accompanied him on his last journey. The mourners walked behind his coffin through the streets of Beirut dressed in black and weeping. Many carried pictures of the ayatollah, while others raised their fists in salute and cried "Death to Israel" and "Death to America."
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