PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has extended sincere condolences to the family, friends and people of Antigua and Barbuda on the passing of their former Prime Minister, Sir Lester Bryant Bird.
The President, in a statement, said that it was with profound sadness that he learnt of the passing of the former Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister.

“Sir Lester was a good friend of Guyana and the Guyanese people. He stood firmly and consistently with us in defence of our sovereignty and territorial integrity, raising his considerable voice in the UN, the Commonwealth and other hemispheric fora.

“Sir Lester’s party in government opened the doors of Antigua and Barbuda to many thousands of Guyanese at a time of economic decline in our country, and in so doing, cemented his legacy as a true integrationist, which will forever be marked in the annals of history.

“We are indebted to Sir Lester and Antigua and Barbuda, not only for the generosity towards our people at a time of need, but for the unflinching support of Guyana on the international stage,” the statement said.

President Ali said the records show that Sir Lester was highly regarded by all of Guyana’s Executive Presidents, from Linden Forbes Burnham to Dr Bharrat Jagdeo.

“On behalf of the people of Guyana and on my own behalf, I extend sincere condolences to Sir Lester’s family, friends and the people of Antigua and Barbuda. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time,” the statement concluded.