The President of the Republic addressed a message of condolences to his Italian counterpart, Giorgio Napolitano, over the victims of the cyclone in Sardinia.

Following is the text of the message from President Cavaco Silva:

“Mister President and Dear Friend,

Upon receiving the news of the tragic consequences of the cyclone that struck Sardinia, I want to transmit to Your Excellency and to the Italian People, on behalf of the People of Portugal and in my own personal name, our feelings of deepest regret and the expression of our heartfelt solidarity.

In this hour of grief, our thoughts go to all those who were overrun and, in particular, the many that suffered the pain of human loss, to whom we beg Your Excellency to forward our sincere condolences.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva”