GENEVA (AP) — Reactions to the death of Kofi Annan, the first black African to become U.N. secretary-general and a Nobel Peace Prize winner who died early Saturday at age 80 after a short illness:

"In a world now filled with leaders who are anything but that, our loss, the world's loss, becomes even more painful." — U.N. human rights chief Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein

"I sincerely admired his wisdom and courage as well as his ability to make balanced decisions even under the most dire and critical circumstances." — Russian President Vladimir Putin

"A relentless champion for peace and a passionate ambassador for Sesame Street and the world's children." — Sesame Street

"We are devastated ... Africa and the world has lost a special human being." — Nelson Mandela Foundation

"A towering global leader and an unwavering champion for peace, justice and rule of law." — Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif

"The U.N. and the world have lost one of their giants." — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg

"We give great thanks to God for Kofi Annan, an outstanding human being who represented our continent and the world with enormous graciousness, integrity and distinction." — Former South African archbishop Desmond Tutu