Internal Security Forces carry the coffin of the former Lebanese Prime Minister Salim Hoss in his funeral in the presence of caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, August 26, 2024. (Credit: X / @grandserail)
An official state funeral took place on Monday for former Prime Minister Salim Hoss, who passed away the day prior.
His casket, draped in the Lebanese flag and carried on a gun carriage, was escorted by the Internal Security Forces (ISF) in a procession from the American University of Beirut Medical Center to the Imam Al-Ouzai Mosque.
According to the state-run National News Agency, upon arrival at the mosque, the ISF battalion presented honors to the late prime minister, with the band playing the funeral march. Grand Mufti of the Lebanese Republic Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian led the prayers for the deceased in the presence of caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, former Prime Ministers Fouad Siniora and Hassan Diab, with MP Mohammad Khawaja representing Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri, former Minister Mohammad Machnouk representing former Prime Minister Tammam Salam, former MP Mohammad Hajjar representing former Prime Minister Saad Hariri along with other current and former ministers and MPs. Also in attendance were representatives from various political, spiritual, economic, financial, cultural, social, judicial, military, and media circles, as well as numerous governors, mayors, Islamic and civil organizations and the late Hoss's family.
Following the prayers, the late prime minister was laid to rest in the family cemetery near the Imam Al-Ouzai Mosque. Wreaths of flowers were placed on the grave by several dignitaries.
Mikati, Grand Mufti Derian, Hoss’s daughter Wadad, his grandson Salim Rahhal and other family members received condolences from officials and dignitaries in the mosque's courtyard.
In his eulogy during the funeral, Mikati said, "I am reminded of his national stances. He was a self-made man, the conscience of Lebanon and a defender of the Palestinian cause. He always placed the national interest and the welfare of the citizens above all else. He was impartial, objective and an exceptional constitutionalist. No matter how much we try to emulate him, we will always fall short."
Hoss served as Prime Minister five times (1976-1980, 1987-1990, 1988-1989, 1989-1990, 1998-2000) and was a long-time parliamentarian 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.