Several world officials have paid tribute to former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 94.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon described Boutros-Ghali as a respected statesman and scholar of international law who brought "formidable experience and intellectual power" to the top UN job.
"His commitment to the United Nations — its mission and its staff — was unmistakable, and the mark he has left on the organization is indelible," Ban said.
Meanwhile, French President Francois Hollande said this "great Egyptian and great servant of the United Nations" had worked tirelessly to preserve peace and to prevent conflicts worldwide.
"His message must serve as inspiration to the international community's action at a time when the Middle East knows new tragedies," Hollande said.
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Boutros-Ghali's "contribution to international affairs will long be remembered."
In a press released on Tuesday by the US Secretary of State John Kerry expressed sadness over the death of Boutros-Ghali.
“Boutros Boutros-Ghali was an exceptional diplomat, a skilled statesman, and a tireless advocate for peace. Few jobs in the world are more challenging, or more consequential, than UN secretary-general, and Boutros-Ghali served the position with distinction and honor,” he said.
“I join so many others today in our best wishes for his family and in remembering his remarkable life,” Kerry added.
Boutros-Ghali was the sixth secretary general of the world body. He spent one term in office between 1992-1996 as the United States vetoed his second term.
