President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has led an array of officials of the Government of Liberia to sign the Book of Condolence for the former Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL), Charles Gyude Bryant.

According to an Executive Mansion release, the solemn and mournful ceremony took place in the Foyer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, May 12^th, 2014.

Others who signed the book were Vice President Joseph N. Boakai, Speaker of the House of Representative, Alex Tyler and members of the House of Representatives; followed by the President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Gbehzohngar Findley and members of the Senate.

This was followed by the Chief Justice, His Honor Francis Korkpor and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and other members of the Judiciary, including the president and members of the Liberian Bar Association.

Former Heads of State and former Vice Heads of State of Liberia, the Doyen and members of the Diplomatic Corps, Consular Corps, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) as well as heads of international organizations also signed the Book of Condolence.

The Clergy and Imams, other officials of Government including Heads of Public Corporations, Autonomous Agencies, Bureaus and Commissions, former officials of Government, heads of political parties and civil society organizations also signed the Book of Condolence.

The general public will have an opportunity to sign the Book of Condolence on Tuesday, May 13, 2014.

Former Chairman Bryant died April 16, 2014 at the John F. Kennedy Medical Center following a brief illness. He was in his 65^th year.

Speaking to journalists later, President Sirleaf said signing the Book of Condolence in his honor is an expression of sorrow and an appreciation for the role he played in promoting peace and reconciliation in the country. “I’m glad that we’re able to spend these few moments to his memory,” she said.

The Liberia leader, who took over from NTGL Chairman Bryant on January 16, 2006, admitted that the country will surely miss him.

Members of the Mr. Bryant’s family, including two of his children, Cheryl Bryant and Charles Gyude Bryant, Jr., where in attendance at the ceremony.

The late NTGL Chairman’s remains will be removed from the Samuel Stryker Funeral Parlors at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13 and taken to the Trinity Cathedral on Broad Street for an evening of wake keeping beginning at 6:00 p.m. Mr. Bryant was a staunch member of the Episcopal Church. He rose through the leadership ranks of the Trinity Cathedral becoming the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

The funeral will commence at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 14, also observed as Unification Day, a national holiday. The cortege will then depart for the township of Crozerville, Montserrado County where internment will take place in the old churchyard of the Christ Episcopal Church.