“The Kataeb party has lost the first witness to its struggle,” Gemayel wrote on his twitter, promising Abu Khalil to hold onto the values and constants of the party and be devoted for Lebanon’s safekeeping as he did.

“The man died but the legend is born.”

“Lebanon suffers the loss of someone who had given it a century of love, faith and sacrifice,” he wrote.

“Your smile will be forever engraved in our hearts,” Gemayel said.