Nassib Lahoud Decorated with Order of the Cedar during Funeral Procession

The funeral procession for the head of the Democratic Renewal Movement, ex-MP Nassib Lahoud, was held at the St. George Cathedral in downtown Beirut in the presence of top officials, diplomats, dignitaries and family members.

Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi, who on Saturday kicked off a five-day tour of Beirut parishes, presided over the memorial service.

Al-Rahi praised Lahoud for “working on spreading democracy in his surroundings,” and “for believing in the independence of the administration and putting it in the service of the citizens.”

Among the top officials who attended the funeral procession were Premier Najib Miqati, Phalange party chief Amin Gemayel, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea, al-Mustaqbal bloc leader MP Fouad Saniora and Progressive Socialist Party chief Walid Jumblat.

Miqati also represented President Michel Suleiman in the funeral. While Speaker Nabih Berri dispatched MP Abdullatif Zein to represent him.

The PM in the name of Suleiman decorated Lahoud posthumously with the Order of the Cedar officer grade, the highest decoration in Lebanon.

Lahoud was laid to rest at his hometown of Baabdat in the Metn district.

He passed away at dawn Thursday after a long battle with illness. He was 68.

The presidential contender has held various political posts, including ambassador to Washington and minister of state.

The Democratic Renewal Movement met for the first time under Lahoud in August last year after he returned to Lebanon from medical treatment in France. He stressed that his group was independent and was no longer part of any political coalition.

Lahoud is survived by his wife Abla Festoq and their two children Salim and Joumana.

The family will accept condolences on Sunday and Monday at his residence in Baabdat. There will also be condolences on February 7 and 8 at his home in Ashrafiyeh.