World leaders pay their final tribute to Mandela

ANKARA

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa, after announcing the death of the legendary leader Nelson Mandela, said: "Our people have lost a father. Although we knew this day was going to come, nothing can diminish our sense of a profound and enduring loss. His tireless struggle for freedom earned him the respect of the world. His humility, passion and humanity, earned him our love."

- US president Barack Obama speaking from the White House said he considered himself among the "countless millions who drew inspiration from Nelson Mandela's life, and the world was unlikely to see a man like him again."

"He achieved more than could be expected of any man and today he's gone home and we've lost one of the most influential, courageous and profoundly good human beings that any of us will share time with on this Earth. He no longer belongs to us, he belongs to the ages," America's first black president said in a televised White House address.

- Chinese president Xi Jinping described Mandela as an "active champion of bilateral friendship and cooperation" and "one of the founders of China-South Africa relations".

"Mr Mandela was a world-renowned statesman, who during the long years led the South African people through arduous struggles to the anti-apartheid victory, making a historic contribution to the establishment and development of the new South Africa," he said.

- Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences following the death of Nelson Mandela.

“Mandela's name is inseparably linked with an entire epoch in Africa's modern history, which witnessed the victory over apartheid and the establishment of the Republic of South Africa as a democratic state,” Putin said in his message.

Despite the hardships, Mandela stayed true to the ideals of humanism and justice until the end of his life, the Russian president said.

- French President Francois Hollande said in a statement on the death of Mandela that "Nelson Mandela made history, that of South Africa and the whole world. Nelson Mandela's message will not disappear. It will continue to inspire fighters for freedom, and to give confidence to people in the defence of just causes and universal rights."

- British Prime Minister David Cameron in his message on Mandela’s death said, "A great light has gone out in the world", adding that flags at Number 10 Downing Street would be flown at half-mast in tribute to Mandela.

"Nelson Mandela was a towering figure in our time; a legend in life and now in death - a true global hero," Cameron said.

"Meeting him was one of the great honours of my life. My heart goes out to his family - and to all in South Africa and around the world whose lives were changed through his courage."

- Turkish President Abdullah Gul shared his condolences with South African people for the demise of Mandela and said, “Nelson Mandela was a great statesman who inspired people in their quest for freedom, dignity and equality. He was also a resilient peacemaker and a relentless reformer. The world will remember him with admiration and gratitude. May his soul rest in peace.”

- Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan also released a statement of condolence for the death of Mandela. In his statement Erdogan said: “What Mandela did has left an unforgettable mark, not only on memory of African nations, but also on the collective memory of all nations of the world. His struggle for his people will be respectfully remembered for centuries.”

- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon hailed Mandela as a "giant for justice" who had inspired freedom movements the world over. "Many around the world were influenced by his selfless struggle for human dignity, equality and freedom. He touched our lives in deeply personal ways," he told reporters. "Nelson Mandela was a giant for justice and a down-to-earth human inspiration," said Ban.

- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Mandela's name would always be associated with the fight against oppression.

"Not even years in prison could break Nelson Mandela or make him bitter - a new, better South Africa eventually emerged out of his message of reconciliation," she said.

"Nelson Mandela's shining example and his political legacy of non-violence and the condemnation of all forms of racism will continue to inspire people around the world for many years to come," she continued.

- "The Queen was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Nelson Mandela last night. He worked tirelessly for the good of his country, and his legacy is the peaceful South Africa we see today," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

"Her Majesty remembers with great warmth her meetings with Mr Mandela and sends her sincere condolences to his family and the people of South Africa at this very sad time."

- Prince Charles also paid tribute to the iconic anti-apartheid fighter, describing him as an "inspired leader and a great man".

"Mr Mandela was the embodiment of courage and reconciliation. He was also a man of great humour and had a real zest for life," he said.

"With his passing, there will be an immense void not only in his family's lives, but also in those of all South Africans and the many others whose lives have been changed through his fight for peace, justice and freedom."

"The world has lost an inspired leader and a great man. My family and I are profoundly saddened and our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Mandela as "one of the most honorable figures of our time".

"He was the father of his people, a man of vision, a freedom fighter who rejected violence," he said.

"He set a personal example for his people in the long years he spent in prison. He was never arrogant. He worked to mend the tears in South African society and with his character he managed to prevent outbursts of racial hatred."

- Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said Mandela transformed not only South Africa, but humanity itself.

"The name Mandela stirred our conscience and our hearts. It became synonymous with the pursuit of dignity and freedom across the globe," he said.

"Today, a great light has been extinguished. The boy from the Transkei has finished his long walk. His journey transformed not just South Africa, but humanity itself."

- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan said Mandela's death "will create a huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill in our continent." "He will be sorely missed by all who cherish love, peace and freedom the world over," said Jonathan.

- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Mandela "fought for the abolition of apartheid with a strong will. On nation building, he made a major achievement with focus on the reconciliation of the people. He was a great leader," he said.

- Palestinian Authority Leader, Mahmud Abbas said Mandela was "a symbol of the liberation from colonialism and occupation". Abbas added that "the Palestinian people will never forget his historic statement that the South African revolution will not have achieved its goals as long as the Palestinians are not free".

- Croatian President Ivo Josipovic said that world has lost one of the greatest leaders of the world. "The world has lost a great man who after 30 years in prison was ready to forgive, who knew how to cooperate with those who persecuted him, who was a symbol of the struggle against apartheid and struggled for the unity in his country. I am sure that Nelson Mandela will be remembered as one of the greatest leaders," said Croatian President Ivo Josipovic.