Ninety-nine years young, the world's oldest living former head of state Sir Anthony Mamo yesterday celebrated his birthday surrounded by his family, President and Mrs Fenech Adami and the media.

President Fenech Adami greeted Sir Anthony calling him the birthday boy and promised a big feast next year when the former President reaches the glorious age of 100.

Dr Fenech Adami, who said he was visiting Sir Anthony on his and the people's behalf, told the former President that the Maltese were grateful to him.

He told him: "You always fill me with courage. You are an example of courage, service, professionalism, and honesty."

Sir Anthony replied that he always did the best he could for his country.

"I am no longer in public service but some of the most prominent people in public service today were my students.

"Eddie was my student at university and he was always brilliant. He was always well prepared and knew how to tackle certain cases, especially those dealing with income tax, as no one else knew how."

This, Sir Anthony said, had nothing to do with politics and he was only speaking about his personal relationship with Dr Fenech Adami who was one of the best students he ever had.

Turning his attention to cameramen and photographers who, he said, he always respected because they never portrayed him as being uglier than he was, Sir Anthony asked them to take a picture of him with President and Mrs Fenech Adami and to please send him a copy.

Asking Dr Fenech Adami his age, he called him a baby on hearing that the President was 73 years old.

"I am so old I forget how old I am. But I feel really well although I am no longer 13." When his children told him it was his 99th birthday, he said jokingly that if he could reach a deal with the Lord to hang on for another year, he'd reach the venerable age of 100.

When it was pointed out to him that he was the oldest living former president he said: "I did not know that. I knew I was old but not that I was the oldest living president worldwide. I thank God for lending me so many years which I hope I used well."

Sir Anthony was also presented with gifts from Care Malta and Casa Arkati, the home for the elderly where he is a resident.