funeral for the former Director General of the General Directorate of State Security, retired Staff Major General Edward Mansour
On 04/07/2019, the North of Beqaa made a funeral for the former Director General of the General Directorate of State Security, retired Staff Major General Edward Mansour, brother of MP Albert Mansour.
In an official and popular funeral, the convoy of the deceased departed from the family home in Ras Baalbeck to Our Lady of Miracles Church, where his military colleagues carried the coffin wrapped in the Lebanese flag. The representative of the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East for the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, Youssef Al-Absi, Bishop Issam John Darwish, headed the mass with the assistance of a number of bishops and priests, in the presence of the Director General of State Security, Major General Tony Saliba and a wide participation of officers and members of the Directorate, as well as MP Michel Daher, representing President Michel Aoun and Prime Minister Saad Hariri, and MP Ghazi Zeaiter representing Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, in addition to the representative of former President Emile Lahoud, former MP Emile Emile Lahoud, President Hussein Al Husseini, representative of Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi, Archbishop Hanna Rahmeh, representative of National Defense Minister Elias Bou Saab and Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun, Staff Major General Elias Shamieh, representative of Director General of the Internal Security Forces Major General, Imad Osman, Gendarmerie Commander, Brigadier Marwan Sleilati, representative of the Director General of General Security, Major General Abbas Ibrahim, Colonel Bishara Abu Hamad, representative of Director General of Customs Badri Daher, Colonel Habib Bejjani, as well as political, military, security and parties figures.
After reciting the Bible and the patriarchal inscription by Father Ibrahim Naamo, Bishop Darwish extended his condolences to the late’s family and said in his speech, that the Melkite Church bids farewell to Major General Mansour, one of its greatest men, who was faithful and loyal to God and his homeland Lebanon, a committed man, a fighter, tenacious in the righteousness, solid in his patriotism, a leader who deals with public affairs with transparency and sincerity, asking God to watch over him and embrace him in his heavenly kingdom.
In turn, the Director General of State Security, Major General Tony Saliba, outlined the qualities of the late through a lament speech delivered by Brigadier General, Fadi Al Haddad, that read the following:
“The death of Staff Major General, Marine Engineer Edward Mansour, was tragic news for us and all those who knew him, the affliction is enormous and the loss is hard.
He is the one who merited the highness of dignity with confident steps, so he rose to the military positions in the Army one by one until he took the command of the General Directorate of State Security between 1998 and 2005.
It is no secret that integrity, honesty and sincerity were the outlines of his personality. This is how he is remembered by those who knew him, a dignified man, of great value and prestige, wreathed with reverence, and covered with humility and merit.
He was a "Staff Major General" known as persevering, faithful, bold, and an ally of righteousness; a "Member of the Military Council" who colored his thoughts with principles, shaped his being with patriotism, and rose above personalization and little temptations; a "marine engineer" who formed the anchor that withstood and protected the ship with all its pieces in the face of heavy storms; a "Director General" who pursued responsibility, merit, morality and good morals.
The significance, role and prestige of the precious deceased not only stems from the important positions he held, he gained in fact the importance of his status as the most outstanding leader, determined in his words, firmly standing before hardships, and rising above temptations.
On this day, we heal our wounds and stand tall because what you have planted in the Directorate of State Security has grown ample harvest for us, a bright hope for the new recruits, and a glorious history associated with you of which we are proud.
And now that the Spirit has let you down and left the body, the glow of your accomplishments stays permanently with us, the children of hope and resurrection, so may you go to your heavenly throne where the eternal rest.
In the name of the General Directorate of State Security, which you have presided and served, we bow before your pure body in this last farewell, and offer our condolences to your parents and loved ones, praying God to accept you with compassion and contentment, and may the Almighty rest your soul in peace in heaven”.
At the end, he awarded him the National Order of the Cedar with the Knight, Commander, and Grand Officer bars in addition to other decorations.
Afterwards, the Internal Security Forces music band played the hymn of death, and the body was buried in the tombs of the family.