Ali Houdou, president of the Socialist Party of Benin who was elected chairman of the preparatory committee of the party for celebrating the 73rd birth anniversary of leader Kim Jong Il, said this at its inaugural ceremony on Jan. 10.

The world knows no such leader as Kim Jong Il who passed away on a running train while taking the high-intensity forced march without a moment's rest by devoting himself to the prosperity of the country and the people's happiness, Ali Houdou noted.

He praised Kim Jong Il for performing distinguished feats in the party building and activities while leading the Workers' Party of Korea for half a century.

The vice-president of the Socialist Party of Benin lauded Kim Jong Il for defending the dignity of the nation and the supreme interests of the country and glorifying the DPRK into the invincible socialist power by relying on the powerful army under the unfurled banner of Songun.