Guiding force for good

There was an outpouring of condolences from leaders around the world yesterday after the death of former United Nations Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kofi Annan. Here are some of the tributes:

United Nations: Current UN chief Antonio Guterres voiced deep sadness at the news, describing his predecessor as "a guiding force for good".

"In many ways, Kofi Annan was the United Nations. He rose through the ranks to lead the organisation into the new millennium with matchless dignity and determination. Like so many, I was proud to call Kofi Annan a good friend and mentor.”

The UN high commissioner for human rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said he was grief-stricken. "Kofi was humanity's best example, the epitome, of human decency and grace. In a world now filled with leaders who are anything but that, our loss, the world's loss becomes even more painful. He was a friend to thousands and a leader of millions. There are some human beings who will seem irreplaceable to us, rare human beings. Kofi Annan is high among them. Goodbye my dear friend... goodbye Kofi."

Ghana: Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo declared a week of mourning, saying the national flag will fly at half-mast at home and in the country's diplomatic missions around the world in honour of "one of our greatest compatriots".

Russia: President Vladimir Putin said he was "fortunate" to have been in personal contact with Annan while he lead the UN. "I sincerely admired his wisdom and courage, his ability to make informed decisions even in the most complex, critical situations. His memory will live forever in the hearts of Russians."

Britain: British Prime Minister Theresa May said her "thoughts and condolences are with his family". "A great leader and reformer of the UN, he made a huge contribution to making the world he has left a better place than the one he was born into," she said on Twitter.

Spain: Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said that "today we lose a great humanist". "Annan... has left us but his legacy remains to keep working for peace, security and to strengthen the defence of human rights," Sanchez tweeted.

Nato: Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said he was saddened to hear the news. "His warmth should never be mistaken for weakness. Annan showed that one can be a great humanitarian and a strong leader at the same time. The UN and the world have lost one of their giants," Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.

EU: EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica said he was "profoundly saddened" by Annan's death. "He was such a great source of inspiration for all of us and will be greatly missed!" he tweeted.

The Elders: The Elders organisation -- a group of statesmen co-founded by Annan which speaks out on global issues -- hailed the former UN chief as "a voice of great authority and wisdom in public and private".

South Africa: South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) said Annan was "an eminent and distinguished son of Africa". "Annan was a great friend of the people of South Africa who played an immeasurable role in shaping the global agenda in favour of the people of the developing south," the ANC said in a statement.