Annan pays tribute to United Kingdom’s late Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother

Reacting with sorrow to the death of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, of the United Kingdom, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan has paid tribute to her leadership and extended condolences to the country’s people.

“The Secretary-General shares the sadness of the British people at the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother,” a spokesman for Mr. Annan said in a statement issued on Saturday.

“Throughout her long life her courage, kindness and unfailing good spirits, had won her a special place in the hearts of countless people, not only in Britain but throughout the world,” the statement said.

The Secretary-General extended his “deep condolences” to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and to all her family on this second bereavement, which followed the death of Princess Margaret, according to the spokesman.