Naharnet, Lebanon
Jan 16 2009

Official and Popular Farewell to Mansour Rahbani

Lebanon bid farewell Friday afternoon to its leading composer and poet
Mansour Rahbani with an official and popular funeral at the St.Elias
Church in Antelias.

Rahbani’s casket made from wood used from the theater he used to
exhibit his plays, as per his last will. The casket was draped with
the Lebanese flag.

Culture minister Tamam Salam representing President Michel Suleiman
bestowed the golden medal of achievement placing it on the composer’s
coffin.

Many current and past political figures attended the funeral including
Syrian Charge d’Affaires Shawqi Shamat representing Syrian President
Basher al `Assad.

Funeral mass was presided by Mount Lebanon Greek Orthodox Bishop
George Khodr accompanied by Maronite Bishop Roland Abu Joude
representing Maronite Patriarch Nasrallah Sfeir.

Bishop Khodr paid a warm eulogy to Rahbani saying: " He left carrying
the feelings of love for the wounded and suffering Palestinian
people."

Rahbani’s coffin was carried from the Armenian Cathedral towards the
church and the Antelias town square accompanied by tunes composed by
the late Rahbani brothers (Assi and Mansour).
Internal Security Forces musical band saluted the coffin playing the
tune of death.

Beirut, 16 Jan 09, 20:35