Former Prime Minister Salim Hoss has passed away

BEIRUT — Former Prime Minister Salim Hoss has died at the age of 94, caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced on Sunday.

"It is with great sadness that I mourn the passing of Salim Hoss, who left us at a time when Lebanon needs his conscience, national and Arab sense, wisdom, sobriety, and sound public management more than ever," Mikati said in a statement.

He also noted that Hoss was "a distinguished economist and an example of competence, ethics and knowledge, who prioritized the public interest and the citizens above all." The former Prime Minister was described as "impartial, objective and constitutionally exemplary," he added.

Mikati also issued a memorandum declaring official mourning for Hoss, noting that "the flags raised over governmental institutions, public offices, and municipalities shall be lowered for a period of three days starting from Monday, until Wednesday. Regular programs on radio and television stations shall be adjusted accordingly to reflect this solemn occasion."

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said: "It is with deep sorrow that I announce the passing of Salim Hoss, at a time when Lebanon sorely needs his integrity, clarity, and towering national figures. Lebanon loses a stalwart of human values that encompassed all these qualities and more."

Hoss served as Prime Minister five times (1976-1980, 1987-1990, 1988-1989, 1989-1990, 1998-2000) and was a long-time member of parliament for Beirut.

In 2017, Hoss, then 88 years old, announced he was going on a hunger strike in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners, 1,500 of which were on a hunger strike themselves, in protest of the dire conditions under which they were being held in Israeli prisons.