Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri mourned the late MP Jean Obeid, stating, "Lebanon weeps a star for you."
The National News Agency reported that the Speaker's office distributed an article written by him about the deceased in the newspaper "An-Nahar," in which he expressed: "The late Jean Obeid, the brother who was born with us from the womb of the earth 'mother.' A tear runs in the eye... burning with longing before the lashes. Does one die who does not die in him? I open my eyes to much that is more beautiful than my language: grant me some of your language. It sets and takes flight on the wings of light, a final spark. A friend of loyalty, indeed its twin. The ever-dreaming president. Do dreams die like people? Or did you choose to leave before the country's eclipse and the dimming of stars? Does the sun retire? Jean Obeid, forgive them... after you, Lebanon is not as it was with you. And you who refused the presidency 'on its terms,' did you refuse to accompany life except on your terms? O president of every presidency, and subordinate of every hopeless subordinate. In every belief and religion, you are the dragonfly. Jean Obeid, O faithful messenger molded with the love of Christianity and the verses of God's Quran. You embraced the religion of every Lebanese, and thus you had the religion of all Lebanon. The Lebanese Arab, as you dismounted from the steed of calling to the path of the nation with wisdom and good counsel. You deserve some of the message of Saint Paul: 'I have fought the good fight... I have finished the race... I have kept the faith... and now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness.' The late Jean Obeid, Lebanon weeps a 'star' for you."
Jean Obeid, a member of the Lebanese Parliament, passed away on Monday at the age of 82, due to complications from the coronavirus. Obeid was an MP representing the Maronite seat in Tripoli and a member of the "Independent Center" parliamentary bloc headed by MP (former Prime Minister) Najib Mikati, who mourned him, stating: "With the departure of Jean Obeid, Lebanon loses a distinguished figure who established a unique approach in the art of political diplomacy with the strength of his words and positions."
Obeid began his political career in the 1970s, being appointed in 1978 as an advisor to President Elias Sarkis and in 1983 as an advisor to President Amin Gemayel. He served as Minister of National Education, Youth, and Sports in 1996, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants in 2003 in Rafik Hariri's government. In 1991, Obeid was first elected as an MP for the Maronite seat in Shouf, and in 1992 he was elected for Tripoli, being re-elected in 1996 and 2000 for the same seat.
