PRESIDENT David Granger has noted with great sadness, the passing of former Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Seymour Arthur, and has expressed his sympathy to Arthur’s family, friends and the people of Barbados.

Arthur, 70 years old, passed on Monday morning at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, following a heart attack on July 15, 2020. “Mr. Arthur, who served as Barbados’ fifth Prime Minister for three consecutive terms from 1994 to 2008, died this morning (Monday) at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados after a brief period of hospitalisation. The former Barbadian Prime Minister led recently an 11-member Commonwealth Observer Mission for Guyana’s General and Regional Elections which were held in March. In February, Mr. Arthur and the members of his observer team called on President Granger at the Ministry of the Presidency,” the Ministry of the Presidency stated in a release.

It added: “President Granger extends heartfelt sympathy to his wife Julie, daughters Sabrina and Leah, other relatives, friends and the people of Barbados.” On July 15, reports from Barbados stated that Arthur had been placed in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) following a heart attack, but was said to be in stable condition. Unfortunately, his condition worsened over time. Earlier this year, he was appointed Chairman of the financially strapped airline, LIAT. He also headed the 11-member Commonwealth Observer Mission for Guyana’s Elections in March. The mission observed pre-elections, elections and post-elections activities.