Secretary-General mourns death of Palestinian writer Edward Said

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan today mourned the loss of Edward Said, the Palestinian-American writer who died early today.

"The Secretary-General heard with great sadness of the death of Edward Said, the distinguished Palestinian-American writer and scholar who did so much to explain the Islamic world to the West, and vice versa," a statement by Mr. Annan's spokesman said.

"While not sharing all of Professor Said's opinions, the Secretary-General always enjoyed his company, savoured his wit, and admired the passion with which he pursued his vision of peace between Israelis and Palestinians," the statement added. "Both the Middle East and the United States will be the poorer without his distinctive voice."