New Delhi: Describing Yasser Arafat as an "enduring symbol" of Palestinian nationhood, President APJ Abdul Kalam today (Nov 11, 2004) said in his death Palestinian people have not only lost a great patriot but also a great visionary whose ambition was to achieve a homeland for his people.

In a condolence letter to Palestinian Legislative Council speaker and acting president of Palestinian National Authority Rawahi Fattough, Kalam said, "President Arafat who was an enduring symbol of Palestine nationhood selflessly devoted his life to Palestinian people."

He said Arafat was greatly admired for his courage and sacrifice not only by the Palestinian people but also by peace-loving people in the Arab region and throughout the world.

"In the passing away of President Arafat, the Palestinian people have not only lost a great patriot but also a great visionary whose only ambition in life was to achieve the homeland for the Palestinian people," Kalam said.

He said, "We join the leaders of the Palestinian National Authority and the Palestinian people in mourning the irretrievable loss of a statesman the world has admired and cherished."

In a separate condolence letter to Arafat's wife Suha, the President said, "President Arafat was widely admired by all Indians and his lifelong sacrifices and struggle for the realisation of the hopes and aspirations of his people are legendary."