The slain official of the Lebanese Democratic Party Saleh Aridi was buried at his hometown of Baisour in Mount Lebanon amidst strict security arrangement and national mourning.

Representatives of the Lebanese officials and various factions took part in the funeral that was addressed by the two leaders of the Druze community, Progressive Socialist party leader Walid Jumblat and LDP leader Talal Arslan.

Both stressed on national unity and proceeding with the march of reconciliation to safeguard stability.

Jumblat said "the message has been received, the loss is huge and can only be compensated by commitment to unity."

"Only the 1949 armistice accord could protect Lebanon and the state should protect all its citizens," he added.

He stressed on President Suleiman's call for national dialogue and paid special tribute to the participation in the funeral by AMAL movement and Hizbullah.
Arslan started his speech by paying tribute to Syrian President Bashar Assad, Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah, Jumblat and other leaders.

He said Aridi, the mountain eagle, fell, in defense of the Arab belonging of the mountain but the mountain would not fall.

Arslan pledged to proceed with what he had started in May with Nasrallah and jumblat.

He said "assassinations are half crimes, they aim at vengeance and the criminal does not distinguish between the majority and opposition."

He said the Aridi killing "aimed at sowing the seeds of discord. Discord would not happen."

Arslan said "Lebanon has one enemy that is Israel.The mountain's role is to protect the resistance."

He vowed that the mountain would lead the march to reconciliation and unity.