PARIS, Nov 11: A selection of tributes, laudatory and derisory, paid by world leaders to Yasser Arafat: "He was an icon in the proper sense of the word.

He was not only concerned with the liberation of the Arab people but of all the oppressed people throughout the world, Arabs and non-Arabs. To lose a man of that stature and thinking is a great blow to all those who are fighting against oppression." (Former South African president Nelson Mandela).

"A great political leader of international significance ... who devoted his whole life to the rightful cause of the Palestinians." (Russian President Vladimir Putin).

"A leader of great charisma who loved his people and tried to guide them towards national independence." (Pope John Paul II).

"The death of Yasser Arafat is a significant moment in Palestinian history. For the Palestinian people, we hope that the future will bring peace and the fulfilment of their aspirations for an independent, democratic Palestine that is at peace with its neighbours." (US President George Bush)

"The death of Arafat could mark a historic turning point for the Middle East. We hope that the new Palestinian leadership that succeeds him will understand that progress in relations with Israel and solutions to problems must come first and foremost through a war on terrorism." (Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon).

"History will record that Yasser Arafat's greatest moment occurred on Sept 13, 1993, when he and Israel's prime minister, Yitzhak Rabin, shook hands on the White House lawn and signed the Oslo Accords which led to seven years of negotiation, progress and relative peace ... I regret that in 2000 he missed the opportunity to bring that nation into being." (Former US president Bill Clinton).

"Arafat's physical passing, as well as a deeply felt loss to the battle being fought by the Arab peoples, ... also comes as a major blow to the progressive movement worldwide." (Cubal President Fidel Castro).

"Arafat made a distinguished contribution to the noble cause of establishing an independent state of Palestine and winning back the legitimate right of the Palestinian people." (North Korean leader Kim Jong-il).

"The sun is shining in the Middle East and around the world, as Arafat was not only the leader of terrorism against Israel, but also the founding father of the terrorism that is running rampant around the world right now, including that of Al Qaeda. All this terrorism is the fruit of Arafat's work, and it's good that the world is rid of him." (Israeli Justice Minister Tommy Lapid).

"Yasser Arafat made a mistake by committing himself to the path of terrorism and we have all paid the price." (Israeli opposition Labour party leader Shimon Peres, who shared the 1994 Nobel peace prize with Arafat).

"A man of courage and conviction who for 40 years has embodied the Palestinian struggle for recognition of their right to nationhood." (French President Jacques Chirac).

"Such a towering figure in the Middle East that it is hard to imagine the occupied territories, Palestinian politics, Middle East politics and much of world affairs without him. (British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw).

"Abu Ammar, you can rest now, we shall continue the struggle." (Chant by a large crowd of mourners marching through the streets of Ain el-Helweh).

"President Arafat epitomised that rare breed of leaders whose lives were defined by the unflinching sacrifices they made in the noble and just cause of the struggle of their peoples ... (he) dedicated his entire life and strength to the finest cause in all the world - the fight for the liberation of all peoples." (South African presidential spokesman Bheki Khumalo).

"Chairman Arafat was a brilliant leader of the Palestinian cause and an outstanding politician who devoted his life to the just cause of striving to recover the legal rights of the Palestinian people." (Chinese President Hu Jintao).

"A pioneer who had laid out the foundation for the establishment of a Palestinian state." (Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi).

"The Palestinian people have not only lost a great patriot but also a great visionary whose only ambition in life was to achieve a homeland for the Palestinian people." (Indian President A. P. J. Abdul Kalam). - AFP