Describing Yasser Arafat as an "enduring symbol" of Palestinian nationhood, Indian President A. P.J. Abdul Kalam said Thursday 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.

"President Arafat who was an enduring symbol of Palestine nationhood selflessly devoted his life to Palestinian people," thePress Trust of India quoted Kalam as saying in a condolence letter to Palestinian Legislative Council speaker and acting president of Palestinian National Authority.

Kalam 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," he said.

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 realization of the hopes and aspirations of his people are legendary."

Arafat died Thursday in a French hospital at the age of 75.

Source: Xinhua