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?UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said he is ''deeply saddened'' by the death of Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and offered his heartfelt condolences to Meles' family.
Ban in a statement also sent condolences to the government and people of Ethiopia.
''Prime Minister Zenawi will be remembered for his exceptional leadership and advocacy on African issues within and outside the continent, as well as for overseeing his country’s economic growth and development,''Ban said in a statement.
The statement, made available to PANA in New York on Tuesday, also quoted the Secretary-General as expressing his gratitude for Meles' strong support of UN peacekeeping and peacemaking operations.
“Ethiopian troops have regularly participated in UN peacekeeping deployments throughout Africa, including in Sudan, Liberia and Burundi.
“The Secretary-General will remember, in particular, Prime Minister Zenawi for his active commitment to working with the UN on numerous global peace and development challenges,'' the statement said.
It also pointed to Meles' recent important role in the ongoing negotiations between Sudan and South Sudan, as well his work on the Millennium Development Goals and climate change.
Meles, 57, who has been ill for some time passed away on Monday.(PANA/NAN)