Secretary-General of the United Nations (1997 - 2006)

“He expressed and symbolized in his person the national aspirations
of the Palestinian people.”

“The Secretary-General was deeply moved to learn of the death of President Yasser Arafat. President Arafat was one of those few leaders who could be instantly recognized by people in any walk of life all around the world. For nearly four decades, he expressed and symbolized in his person the national aspirations of the Palestinian people,” spokesman Fred Eckhard said in a statement on Annan’s behalf. 
The spokesman said Arafat would be remembered for leading the Palestinians in a giant step toward peace in signing the Oslo accords in 1993 and, it is tragic that he did not live to see it fulfilled.
“Now that he has gone, both Israelis and Palestinians, and the friends of both peoples throughout the world, must make even greater efforts to bring about the peaceful realization of the Palestinian right of self-determination,” the statement said.