The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, says he is saddened by the death of the former Prime Minister of the State of Israel, Ariel Sharon.
Sharon, 85, became incapacitated by a severe stroke in 2006, and passed away earlier Saturday at a hospital near Tel Aviv.
Ki-Moon’s spokesperson, Martin Nesirky, in a statement on Saturday, said the UN scribe offered his condolences to the bereaved family and to the government and people of Israel.
He said: “Throughout a life dedicated to the State of Israel, Ariel Sharon was a hero to his people, first as a soldier and then a statesman.
“Prime Minister Sharon will be remembered for his political courage to carry through with the painful and historic decision to withdraw Israeli settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip.
“His successor faces the difficult challenge of realising the aspirations of peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people.”
The statement also quoted the Secretary-General to have called on Israel to build on the late Prime Minister’s legacy of pragmatism.
“It should also work towards the long overdue achievement of an independent and viable Palestinian state, next to a secure Israel,” Ban said in the statement.
