The U.S. has expressed sadness over the death of former UN Secretary-General, Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali.
This is contained in a statement by Amb. Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN which was released in Abuja on Wednesday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The statement said that Egypt and indeed, the world had lost a distinguished statesman.
“We extend our sympathies to Mr Boutros-Ghali’s family, his colleagues at the United Nations, and the Egyptian people.
“Boutros-Ghali served both Egypt and the United Nations with distinction,” it stated.
It said that Boutros-Ghali was the first Secretary-General from the African continent and the only Arab to ever serve in the post.
Boutros-Ghali, according to the statement, oversaw the UN during a tumultuous time that included the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
“As Egyptian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, he helped to negotiate the peace agreements between President Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister, Menachem Begin.
“As we mourn his loss and reflect on his service, we are reminded that all nations and peoples have a stake in building a stronger and more effective UN,’’ it said.
