Guido de Marco: "He died a patriot", acting PM Tonio Borg

Borg, who spoke to MaltaToday from hospital where he rushed to de Marco’s side as soon as he was informed of his sudden hospitalization, said that “Guido de Marco has died a patriot for his country.”

He added that de Marco was not only a statesman in his own right, but most of all was a PN hero, who fought tough battles for democracy to be restored in the country.

“I am in shock, as only last Saturday he was lucid when I visited him,” Tonio Borg said, adding that, “while embracing me he told me that I delivered a good speech to the ambassadors during the annual ambassador’s conference.”

While explaining that a State Funeral is to be announced tomorrow, government has declared national mourning.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi who is away on a private holiday has been informed and is expected back in Malta over the weekend.