PARIS -- French President Jacques Chirac on Monday expressed deep sorrow at the loss of his friend and former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Al-Hariri, who was assassinated on February 14, 2005 in a Beirut bomb attack.

Speaking at the Arab World Institute (IMA), where a ceremony was held Monday night in Hariri's honor, the French leader said that the wound left by Hariri's loss cannot he healed for his family and friends.

Chirac told the former Lebanese leader's widow, Nazek, and former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, that Hariri's "heart was generous, his contact was warm, and his friendship unflagging." Chirac praised Hariri's "courage, tenacity, and energy" in overcoming obstacles.

The French leader also praised the former Lebanese official's strife to see his country sovereign, and an independent, free, and democratic State.

"Rafiq Hariri gave the Lebanese back their dignity and their pride," Chirac affirmed to a gathering of over 200 people at the IMA.

However, he stressed Hariri's assassins only spread the late figure's message further by murdering him, contrary to their objectives.

Chirac warned the Lebanese about dissent and in-fighting and added that they should remember that France is at their side in their strife to preserve what they have achieved. -Kuna