Photos: HRH Princess Haya, wife of the ruler of Dubai pays tribute to Kofi Annan

Kofi Annan, a soft-spoken and patrician diplomat from Ghana, who became the seventh secretary general of the United Nations, projecting himself and his organization as the world’s conscience and moral arbiter despite bloody debacles that left indelible stains on his record as a peacekeeper, died on Saturday.

He was 80.
His death was confirmed by his family though a statement from the Kofi Annan Foundation, which is based in Switzerland.

HRH Princess Haya bint Al Hussein, who is Chairperson of International Humanitarian City, released a touching post on Instagram, mourning the leader:

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We have lived in an era where giants have walked among us. Kofi Annan was one of them. A man whose heart and soul have dwarfed almost all other human beings. Kofi Annan’s capacity for goodness, for kindness, for gentleness and calm justice, knew no limits... no border, no religion, no gender, ever stopped him enveloping our world with the unique flame of hope that he kindled tirelessly. The last time we met, he spoke to me about how in so many ways we have entered an Era of Fire. So many of the problems of our world of late have had the symbol of fire... Kofi, I join so many millions of people whose hearts are breaking at the loss of you among us. And we all offer our love and sincerest prayers to Nane and your beautiful family. I believe what you said about the Era of Fire to be true, and most of all I believe that your soul was and will remain the strongest blaze of hope for people around the world. You are like the sun, a flame that will never ever go out. And it will light a path for all of us who promise to continue to do your work. لقد نعمنا بالعيش في زمن العظماء... وكوفي عنان كان أحدهم... كان رجلاً يَتضاءل أمام قلبه وروحه الكثير من البشر. فلا حد لقدرة كوفي عنان على فعل الخير والطيبة والرحمة واللطف والهدوء..إذ لم تتمكن الحدود او الدين او الجنس من الوقوف امامه والحيلولة دون احاطة عالمنا بشعلة أمل فريدة أحياها بلا كلل أو ملل. ففي آخر مرة التقينا، حدّثني عن دخولنا بما وصفه بـ "عصر من النار"... فالكثير من المشاكل التي شهدناها في عالمنا بالآونة الأخيرة كانت النار بالفعل رمزاً لها.. كوفي، أنضم إلى الملايين من الناس الذين فجعوا بخبر رحيلك عنا.. ونقدم جميعاً حُبّنا وأخلص تعازينا لـ" نين" وعائلتك الجميلة. كوفي.. صدقت بعبارتك "عصر من النار" ... وأنا على يقين بأن روحك كانت وستبقى أقوى شعلة أمل للناس حول العالم. فأنت بحق شعلةٌ كالشمس .. ولن تنطفئ أبداً... بل ستضيئ شعلتك الطريق لنا جميعاً .. ونعاهدك بمواصلة السير على خطاك.. ∞

A post shared by Haya Bint Al Hussein (@hrhprincesshaya) on Aug 18, 2018 at 8:27am PDT

President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of condolences to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also sent similar condolence messages to the UN chief.

Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who passed away today, was a man who had dedicated himself to bringing about peace. We have lost a statesman who was dedicated to the service of humanity and extend our sincere condolences to his family. pic.twitter.com/q8pG8FUOMp

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) August 18, 2018

Kofi Annan, Nobel Peace Prize winner & former UN Secretary-General has died.