Shimon Peres: some leading tributes

Nobel laureate and former Israeli president Shimon Peres, who died Wednesday aged 93, left an indelible mark on world affairs. Here is a selection of international tributes paid to one of Israel's best-loved elder statesmen. - 'Moral imagination' - "There are few people who we share this world with who change the course of human history, not just through their role in human events, but because they expand our moral imagination and force us to expect more of ourselves. My friend Shimon was one of those people. "Perhaps because he had seen Israel surmount overwhelming odds, Shimon never gave up on the possibility of peace between Israelis, Palestinians and Israel's neighbours." -- US President Barack Obama - 'Genius with a big heart' - "The Middle East has lost a fervent advocate for peace and reconciliation and for a future where all the children of Abraham build a better tomorrow. "He was a genius with a big heart who used his gifts to imagine a future of reconciliation not conflict, economic and social empowerment not anger and frustration, and a nation, a region, and a world enhanced by caring and sharing, not torn asunder by the illusions of permanent dominance and perfect truth." -- Former US president Bill Clinton - Tireless optimist - "He worked tirelessly for a two-state solution that would enable Israel to live securely and harmoniously with the Palestinians and the wider region. "Even in the most difficult hours, he remained an optimist about the prospects for reconciliation and peace." -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon - Inspiring memory - "I hope that his memory and many years of service will inspire us all to work with ever greater urgency for peace and reconciliation between peoples. "In this way, his legacy will truly be honoured and the common good for which he so diligently laboured will find new expressions, as humanity strives to advance on the path towards enduring peace." -- Pope Francis - 'Incessant energy' - "He was one of the oldest world politicians. But he could inspire even younger politicians with his incessant energy, ideas, and original approaches to solving the most difficult international problems. "He tried to use his experience and political wisdom when searching for a way out from dead ends that world politics sometimes reached." -- Ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev - 'Political giant' - "Shimon Peres was a political giant, a statesman who will rank as one of the foremost of this era or any era, and someone I loved deeply." -- Tony Blair, former British prime minister and ex-special envoy to the Middle East Quartet - Ardent defender of peace - "Shimon Peres now belongs to history, which was his companion during his long life. "With the death of Shimon Peres, Israel has lost one of its most illustrious statesmen, and peace one of its most ardent defenders." -- French President Francois Hollande - 'Innate humanity' - "By his unyielding determination and principle, Shimon Peres time and again helped guide his beloved country through the crucible of mortal challenge. But it was by his innate humanity, his decency, that Shimon inspired the world over and helped pave a path to peace broad enough that future generations will walk it one day, side by side." -- Former US president George Bush - 'Wisdom and vision' - "I was lucky enough to have the chance to speak with this remarkable person many times. Every time I admired his courage and patriotism, his wisdom and vision, his ability to grasp the essence of the most difficult issues." -- Russian President Vladimir Putin