Iran's Zarif says 'extremely saddened' by Annan's passing

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has expressed his grief over the passing of former United Nations Secretary General and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kofi Annan, describing him as an unwavering champion of peace and justice.

“Extremely saddened by passing of Kofi Annan, a towering global leader and an unwavering champion for peace, justice and rule of law. Rest in peace my dear old friend," Zarif said in a post on his official Twitter page on Saturday.

Annan, a Ghanaian national, died at the age of 80 in hospital in Bern, Switzerland, in the early hours of Saturday, two of his close associates said.

PressTV-Former UN chief Kofi Annan dead at 80

Kofi Annan, the former UN secretary-general, has died at the age of 80 in a Swiss hospital.

In Geneva, the Kofi Annan Foundation announced his peaceful death with "immense sadness" after a short illness, saying he was surrounded in his last days by his second wife Nane and children Ama, Kojo and Nina.

Annan served two terms as UN secretary general in New York from 1997-2006. He retired in Geneva and later lived in a Swiss village in the nearby countryside.

World leaders pay tribute to Annan

After his death, tributes have been paid from across the world to the former UN chief.

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo

Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo lauded Annan as a "consummate international diplomat" who was the first man "from sub-Saharan Africa to occupy this exalted position."

"He brought considerable renown to our country by this position and through his conduct and comportment in the global arena," he said.

Akufo-Addo added that the "highly respected former" UN chief was "an ardent believer in the capacity of the Ghanaian to chart his or her own course onto the path of progress and prosperity."

Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Annan was a "remarkable person and great politician" who devoted many years of his life "to the service of the United Nations."

"Heading the UN at a difficult time, he did a great deal to realize the purposes and the goals of the organization, strengthening its central role in world affairs," Putin added.

"His personal contribution to building the UN's peacekeeping potential, as well as in the settlement of a number of regional conflicts, was particularly significant," he added.

The Russian president "sincerely admired" Annan's "wisdom and courage, [and] his ability to make balanced decisions even in the most difficult, critical situations."

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari said, "Annan's humility, nobility and love for humanity set him apart for global greatness, achieving recognition and commendation for the reform of the United Nations' bureaucracy and multiple interventions to bring peace to the world."

German Chancellor Angela Markel

German Chancellor Angela Markel said Annan has turned into a role model for all people across the world.

"Kofi Annan never gave up working for the good in the world. (He) knew how to get people engaged, and became a role model, especially for young people all over the world," Merkel said.

French President Emmanuel Macron

French president Emmanuel Macron also paid tribute to the former UN head and said, "We will never forget his calm and resolute approach to matters, nor the strength of his commitments."

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said as the UN chief, Annan "was a world leader in the cause of peace, development and human rights."

"He was also one of the public figures who contributed the most to the independence of East Timor," he added.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Annan was "a great leader and diplomat extraordinaire" who had advanced the African agenda within the United Nations and had "flown the flag for peace" around the world.

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