UN chief saddened by death of ex-Israeli PM Ariel Sharon

UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon said Saturday he was "saddened" by the death of Ariel Sharon, former prime minister of Israel, and called on the country to build on his legacy of pragmatism to press ahead with the Israeli- Palestinian peace process.

Ban offered his condolences to the late leader's bereaved family and to the government and people of Israel.

"Throughout a life dedicated to the State of Israel, Ariel Sharon was a hero to his people, first as a soldier and then a statesman," Ban said in a statement.

Sharon will be remembered for "his political courage and determination to carry through with the painful and historic decision to withdraw Israeli settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip," he said, adding that Sharon's successor faces the difficult challenge of realizing the aspirations of peace between the Israeli and Palestinian people.

"The Secretary-General calls on Israel to build on the late prime minister's legacy of pragmatism to work towards the long overdue achievement of an independent and viable Palestinian state, next to a secure Israel," the statement said.

At this time of national mourning, the UN chief renewed the commitment of the world organization to work alongside the government and the people of Israel for peace and security.

Sharon passed away Saturday at the age of 85 after having been in a coma for the past eight years since he suffered a stroke in January 2006. He was then replaced by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert from his center-left Kadima party, which Sharon established after leaving the right-wing Likud party.