Pyongyang, December 26 (KCNA) -- Amadou Toumani Toure, president of Mali, expressed profound condolences over the demise of leader Kim Jong Il.

Authorized by the Malian president, the minister of Defense and Veterans visited a mourning center in Bamako and paid silent tribute to Kim Jong Il on December 23.

He said:

On behalf of the president of Mali I express profound condolences to all Korean people.

The Malian people are now sharing sorrow with the Korean people.

The sorrow of the Korean people is just the sorrow of the Malian people.

I hope the Korean people will overcome the present sorrow and register successes in the building of a thriving nation under the leadership of respected HE Kim Jong Un.