Pyongyang, December 22 (KCNA) -- Kim Jong Un, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, received a message of condolences from Bashar Al－Assad, president of Syria, on Dec. 19.

The message said:

HE leader Kim Jong Il dedicated his whole life to accomplishing the revolutionary cause started by HE Kim Il Sung, founder of the DPRK and its eternal President, for the party and revolution, country and its people and global independence.

Your friendly country will steadily advance along the road indicated by President Kim Il Sung and leader Kim Jong Il and their ideas will always be remembered by the peoples of all countries.

The Syrian people and I express most heartfelt and profound condolences to Your Excellency and the friendly Korean people, considering the demise of HE leader Kim Jong Il as a great loss not only to the Korean people but to the people of all countries struggling for freedom, justice and peace.

May his soul rest in peace.

Please accept my highest consideration.