'On behalf of all Members of the Executive Board of UNESCO and in my own name, allow me to express my condolences on the demise of His Excellency, Mr. Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, former President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, to his family and to the government and people of Iran.
'Mr. Rafsanjani will be remembered as an important political figure of your country and as its president for two terms.
In his message, addressed to the Iranian ambassador to UNESCO Ahmad Jalali, Worbs said that Ayatollah Rafsanjani was an important political figure, a prominent statesman, and a pragmatic reformist who can never be forgotten.
'He was a seasoned and recognized statesman who shall be remembered as a pragmatic reformer, maintaining influence even after leaving public life.
'I kindly ask that you convey this message to his family.'
Ayatollah Rafsanjani died at the age of 82 due to a heart attack in a Tehran hospital on January 8 (Sunday).
The Ayatollah's demise stood at the top of world news with messages of condolences by world leaders and international figures pouring into the country.
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Publish Date: 14 January 2017 - 10:08
Tehran, Jan 14, IRNA – The Chairman of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Executive Board Michael Worbs extended condolences on the demise of the Chairman of the Expediency Council Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani who passed away on Jan 8.