Former UN chief Kofi Annan dies at 80

Bern: Former United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Kofi Annan passed away on Saturday, his family and foundation confirmed.

"It is with immense sadness that the Annan family and the Kofi Annan Foundation announce that Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations and Nobel Peace Laureate, passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness..," read a tweet on Annan's official Twitter handle.

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Condolences from various world leaders started pouring in soon after the demise of the world peace icon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "We express our profound sorrow at the passing away of Nobel Laureate and former UNSG Mr. Kofi Annan. The world has lost not only a great African diplomat and humanitarian but also a conscience keeper of international peace and security."

Prime Minister Modi praised Annan for his contribution to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the global body's roadmap for eradicating poverty, halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education. (With ANI inputs)

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