Saber Ballul, department head of the Political Faculty of the University of Damascus, said in a statement on April 14 that April 15 is the day enshrined in the hearts of the Korean people and the world's progressive people, adding:

President Kim Il Sung's birthday is the day when the great sun of mankind rose.

The President is boundlessly revered by all people as he set forth the revolutionary idea and achieved enormous exploits.

With his rare wisdom, insight, iron will and great courage, he made the Korean people an independent people and reliably defended the DPRK from invasion and challenge by all enemies.

His revolutionary idea and exploits serve as the valuable heritage and treasure of the progressives.

He is always alive in the hearts of all people.

Samir Diyab, chief of the Lebanese Group for the Study of the Juche Idea, said in a statement on April 13 that it is duty of the Juche idea followers to splendidly celebrate the Day of the Sun together with the friendly Korean people.

He lauded Kim Il Sung for turning the DPRK into a socialist state centered on the popular masses and a powerful country, independent in politics, self-supporting in the economy and self-reliant in national defence, unfazed by any storm and stress.