Pyongyang, December 24 (KCNA) -- Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad expressed profound condolences on the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

Upon the authorization, the chamberlain of the Syrian president on December 21 paid a condolatory visit to the DPRK embassy in Damascus to convey the following message of condolences:

I share sorrow with the Korean people over the demise of HE leader Kim Jong Il and express the most profound condolences to the leadership, party, government and people of the DPRK on behalf of the Syrian leadership, party, government and people.

HE leader Kim Jong Il was a great man who made a great contribution to the development of the friendly relations between Syria and the DPRK and made a distinguished contribution to the accomplishment of the cause of independence against imperialism, upholding the cause of President Kim Il Sung.

I am convinced that the Korean people will overcome the sorrow over the demise of HE leader Kim Jong Il and carry forward and accomplish his cause, united close around HE Kim Jong Un, the supreme leader of the DPRK.

Meanwhile, first vice-foreign minister and vice-foreign minister of Syria, the general secretary of the Arab Socialists’Movement of Syria, the general secretary of the Arab Democratic Union Party and the general secretary of the Popular Front For the Liberation of Palestine paid condolatory visits to the DPRK embassy and expressed profound condolences over the demise of Kim Jong Il.