President George Abela has gone to Mater Dei Hospital to personally express his condolences to the family of President Emeritus Guido de Marco, who passed away this afternoon.

Also at hospital is PN General Secretary Paul Borg Olivier.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who is interrupting his private holiday abroad to return to Malta, said the country had lost one of its foremost personalities, a man who enjoyed respect in Malta and abroad.

"Prof de Marco was a visionary, and he was also a person whose heart was open to everyone," Dr Gonzi said.

Labour leader Joseph Muscat also issued a statement to pay tribute to Prof de Marco.

This, he said, was a moment of sadness for all the people.

"Professor de Marco was a formidable politician, a good orator, who struck everyone by his humanity.

He was also an interlocutor with whom one could dialogue in the best interests of the nation.

Dr Muscat also praised Prof de Marco for his service as President of Malta.

He said that in the past two years as Leader of the Opposition he had enjoyed several conversations with Prof de Marco and he would treasure the memories.

His passing away was all the more shocking because it came at a time when the people were rejoicing at his recovery.

Dr Muscat said he appreciated the gesture by Prof de Marco who on Tuesday, just before leaving hospital, phoned him to thank him for his interest in his condition. He had also asked him about his own condition after his incident on Saturday.

The gesture, Dr Muscat said, was deeply appreciated.

The Nationalist Party saluted Prof de Marco as the 'politician of persuasion'.

It said that Prof de Marco had, since the 1960s worked insistently and consistently for the country and had also made a name for himself as a criminal lawyer and a professor of law at the University. He was deputy leader of the PN in one of the most difficult times for the country and had worked hard for freedom and democracy.

The party recalled Prof de Marco's work as Home Affairs Minister, Foreign Minister and then President. Malta, it said, had lost a statesman who always viewed his participation in politics as a mission.

Alternattiva Demokratika also expressed its condolences.

"Malta has lost a true gentleman, a true visionary and an exemplary statesman who never shied away from speaking for peace, justice, respect and democracy" AD leader Michael Briguglio said.

Meanwhile government activities for this evening were cancelled and flags are flying at half mast.

Details of a state funeral are expected to be announced this evening. The last state funeral was that of President Emeritus Sir Anthony Mamo in 2008.

See Joe Borg's blog at

http://www.timesofmalta.com/blogs/view/20100812/fr-joe-borg/dear-guido