photo: ISNA

Saberi passed away Friday morning at the age of 63. He was suffering from a blood disorder and had been under medical care at Mehr Hospital here over the past month.

The president, in his message, said that although he found it hard to believe that Saberi had passed away, "there was no other option but to yield to the fate of God Almighty."

"Saberi`s noble, creative spirit left his exhausted and suffering body at this season of the year when nature is reborn, and flew to heaven," added the message.

Saberi`s funeral will be held on Saturday. It will be preceded by a ceremony scheduled to start in front of Gol Agha Cultural Institute and ending at Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in southern Tehran.

The outstanding humorist will be buried in the place reserved for artists and writers at Behesht-e Zahra cemetery.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ahmad Masjed Jamei, in a message addressed to the cultural and artistic community of Iran, also expressed profound condolences for the death of the famous writer and humorist.

Eulogizing the columnist of the popular `Few Words of Reason` column in the Persian daily Ettela`at as a "unique contemporary humorist," the minister said that Saberi`s contribution to humor in Iranian society was unique, particularly during the eventful period after the victory of the Islamic Revolution.

"He created a particular style of expressing criticism over political and social issues," added the message.