An outpouring of grief has continued to trail the death, earlier today, of former British Prime Minister, Baroness Margaret Thatcher. Widely known as Iron Lady, Thatcher, Britain’s first female Prime Minister, died of a stroke at the age of 87.

World leaders have been leading a global mourning for the charismatic politician. Paying tribute to Thatcher, Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan said that she “will always be remembered by the world for her very unique, distinctive and purposeful leadership which restored pride and respect to her country and made a resurgent Great Britain a force to be reckoned with on the global stage.”

US President Barack Obama tweeted: “She stands as an example to our daughters that there is no glass ceiling that can’t be shattered.”

French president Francois Hollande hailed her as a “great figure who left a profound mark on the history of her country.”

Expressing his condolences to Britain, Russian President Vladimir Putin said: “Thatcher was undoubtedly one of the most brilliant political figures of the contemporary world. I knew her personally: she always made a great impression. In my opinion, we have lost an outstanding political figure; I regret that, and I express my condolences in the name of the Russia leadership to the British government and to the British people.”

On his part, former US president Bill Clinton hailed Thatcher as an “iconic” and ground-breaking leader.

“The United Kingdom has lost its first woman Prime Minister, an iconic stateswoman, and a fearless leader,” he said. “The United States has lost one of its dearest friends and most valued ally. [She had] a remarkable life as she broke barriers, defied expectations, and led her country.”

To Germany’s ex-chancellor Helmut Kohl Baroness Thatcher was outstanding for her “love of freedom” and honesty. He said: “I greatly valued Margaret Thatcher for her love of freedom, her incomparable openness, honesty and straightforwardness. Margaret Thatcher told a female MEP she should ‘go in there and tell the men what to do’ when she asked her advice on getting into the male dominated world of politics.”

Former US president George W Bush, said that he and his wife, Laura, were saddened by Baroness Thatcher’s death.

“She was an inspirational leader who stood on principle and guided her nation with confidence and clarity,” he stated, adding: “Prime Minister Thatcher is a great example of strength and character, and a great ally who strengthened the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States. Laura and I join the people of Great Britain in remembering the life and leadership of this strong woman and friend.”

•Photo: The late Margaret Thatcher.

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