Pyongyang, December 23 (KCNA) -- We will invariably hold HE great Kim Jong Il in high esteem as honorary president of our party and always glorify his exploits in Benin and on the African continent.

The Socialist Party of Benin said this in a statement on Dec. 20 on the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

The statement said that the members of the party which held him in high esteem as its honorary president share sorrow with the members of the Workers' Party of Korea and the Korean people overcoming sorrow over the loss of the outstanding leader and wise teacher.

It expressed belief that all the Korean people would overcome sorrow and display strength and courage and thus more dynamically accelerate the cause of socialism under respected supreme leader Kim Jong Un and continue advancing in the van as a model for the world progressive people.

Meanwhile, Don Borrie, chairman of the New Zealand-DPRK Society, released a statement on Monday on the demise of Kim Jong Il.