Head of the Independence Movement Michel Moawad offered his condolences to the family of former Prime Minister Omar Karami who passed away on Thursday morning.

Moawad said in a statement that the Lebanese people and particularly residents of north Lebanon have lost a pillar of the nation’s political class, describing Karami as a statesman with political ethics.

“Despite our political differences with the late prime minister, we cannot but recall his courageous and historical stances namely his decision to submit his Cabinet’s resignation in 2005 after MP Bahia Hariri gave her speech in Parliament,” the statement said.

The statement also recalled Karami’s stances during the 2000 parliamentary elections when he stood firm against Syrian hegemony.

“Prime Minister Karami will always be a symbol of national coexistence that characterized the good ties between Tripoli and neighboring Zgharta. May his soul rest in peace,” the statement concluded.