Political leaders mourn Mandela's death

After the news of Mandela's death spread out, the heads of different countries have expressed theri grief successively.

Mandela died on Thursday at the age of 95 after a prolonged lung infection, South African President Jacob Zuma announced.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon mourned former South African President Nelson Mandela and gave his "deepest condolence" to the family of Mandela and the people of South Africa and Africa as a whole.

"I am profoundly saddened by the passing of Nelson Mandela," Ban told reporters here. "Nelson Mandela was a giant for justice and a down-to-earth human inspiration."

"On behalf of the United Nations, I extend my deepest condolences to Nelson Mandela's family, the people of South Africa, and indeed our global family," the UN secretary-general said.

All representatives of the 15 UN Security Council members, who were attending an open council meeting on Thursday afternoon, rose and stood in silent tribute.

U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday evening called his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma to express his "heartfelt" condolences over the death of former President Nelson Mandela.

During the phone talks, Obama "conveyed how profoundly Mandela's extraordinary example of moral courage, kindness and humility influenced his own life, as well as those of millions around the world," the White House said in a readout of the conversation.

"President Obama reaffirmed that the strong and historic partnership between the United States and South Africa will continue to draw strength from Mandela's legacy as we work together to promote equality, reconciliation and human dignity, and to build a more just and prosperous world," the White House said.

In a televised statement made earlier at the White House, a saddened Obama mourned Mandela's death, saying "he achieved more than could be expected of any man."

In a proclamation signed later, Obama ordered an immediate lowering of flags for Mandela at the White House, upon all public buildings, at all military posts and foreign missions until sunset of next Monday.

European Council president Herman Van Rompuy called Mandela "one of the greatest political figures of our times" in a Twitter post, while European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Mandela changed course of history for his people, country, continent and the world, adding that his thoughts were with Mandela's family and the people of South Africa.

"Nelson Mandela represents the fight against racism, political violence and intolerance. He represents justice, freedom and respect for human rights," Van Rompuy and Barroso said in a joint statement, "He taught us all a major lesson in reconciliation, political transition and social transformation."

"Only a person with his profound humanity, moral integrity and authority and clear vision for the future of his country, could have achieved this," the statement read.

"South Africa today loses its father, the world loses a hero. I pay tribute to one of the greatest humans of our time," European Parliament President Martin Schulz said in a separate statement.

"Nelson Mandela dies today, but his legacy will last forever," said Schulz, "He has been a fighter, a leader and a source of inspiration for so many people throughout Africa, Europe and the entire world."

Schulz said that Mandela gave new meaning to words such as freedom, equality, justice, reconciliation and forgiveness through his leadership and personal example.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key expressed sadness at the death of Nelson Mandela, saying he was an inspirational leader and a remarkable man.

Key said the former South African president symbolized that country's hope for a future free from apartheid and helped it come to terms with its past and build the foundations for a stronger nation through reconciliation.

"He is someone that leaders around the world have looked to, have spoken with, and for the people of New Zealand, someone that we've had great admiration for," Key added.

Key will lead New Zealand's delegation to Mandela's funeral expected to be on Dec. 15.

Labor Party leader David Cunliffe said Nelson Mandela's name is synonymous with peace and democracy and his death will leave an enormous void.

The country's Governor-General Jerry Mateparae said Mandela's death marks the passing of a global legend. Jerry said he was a man of great courage, vision and mana who peacefully guided South Africa from the evil of apartheid to a racially inclusive democracy.

At the request of Prime Minister John Key, the New Zealand Flag is to be half-masted on all government and public buildings for the remainder of today, Dec. 6 , and the day of the funeral, to mark Mandela's death.

CanadianPrime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement that the world has lost one of its great moral leaders and statesmen, adding that Mandela modeled how peoples can transform their own times and in doing so, their own lives.

"Despite his long years of captivity, Mr. Mandela left prison with a heart closed to calls for a settling of scores," Harper said. "Instead, he was filled by a longing for truth and reconciliation, and for an understanding between all peoples."

On behalf of the Government of Canada and all Canadians, Harper extended the condolences to Mandela's widow, Graca Machel, his entire family and all citizens of South Africa.

"Canada, a nation that granted Mr. Mandela honorary citizenship in 2001, mourns with you and the entire world today," Harper added.