The President of the Republic addressed a message of condolences to the President of the Federal Republic of Brazil, Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, with regard to the victims of the storms which have ravaged Rio de Janeiro

Following is the text of the message:

“Mister President and Dear Friend,

Upon being advised of the tragic effects of the storms which have ravaged Rio de Janeiro, I wish to transmit to Your Excellency and to the People of Brazil, on behalf of the People of Portugal and in my own personal name, our feelings of deep regret and the expression of our heartfelt solidarity.

In this hour of suffering, our thoughts are with the families of the victims and with those which have sustained irreparable losses, to whom we beg Your Excellency to forward our most sincere condolences.

Aníbal Cavaco Silva”