Singapore's President S. R. Nathan on Friday expressed condolences over Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's death.In his letter of condolences to Rawhi Fattouh, interim president of the

Palestinian National Authority, President Nathan said that he was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of President Arafat.

He praised Arafat for being the leader of the Palestinian people for over a generation, saying that Arafat symbolized the struggles of the Palestinian people for an independent statehood.

Arafat's passing will be mourned by both his people and by members of the international community, he said, adding that he would like to convey the island state's deepest sympathies and condolences to Arafat's family and to the Palestinian people.

The 75-year-old Arafat died in a French military hospital early Thursday.

Source: Xinhua