Tony Blair announced on Thursday he would step down on June 27 after a decade as British prime minister. Here is some reaction from around the world:
United States
President George W. Bush:
"I will miss Tony Blair. He is a political figure who is capable of thinking over the horizon. He's a long-term thinker. I have found him to be a man who's kept his word which is sometimes rare in the political circles I run in.
"When Tony Blair tells you something, as we say in Texas, you can take it to the bank. We've got a relationship such that we can have really good discussions - so I'll miss him, he's a remarkable person and I consider him a good friend." Former president Bill Clinton
"Tony Blair revitalised his party, modernised his country's economy and its approach to social problems, took the lead on global issues from climate change to debt relief to doubling aid to Africa to the quest for peace in Northern Ireland and Kosovo, and started the global Third Way political movement.
"His decade of leadership leaves the people of the UK better off
economically, more socially just, more respected for world
leadership, and well-positioned for the future. I am glad he was
there and grateful for our friendship."
European Commission
President of the European Commission, Jose Manuel Barroso:
"Tony Blair has taken Britain from the fringes to the mainstream of the European Union.
"He has done this by engagement, not by vetoes. He has brought to Europe energy, engagement and ideas and leaves an impressive legacy including his commitment to enlargement, energy policy, his promotion of action against climate change, and for fighting poverty in Africa.
Iraq
Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh:
"Tony Blair has helped in toppling Saddam Hussein. He stood courageously next to President George Bush to end the misery of the Iraqi people. He will be mentioned in Iraq's history as such.
"But at the same time we think that the relation between Iraqi people and the British forces could have been better and we could have avoided lots of problems."
Ireland
Prime Minister Bertie Ahern:
"Tony Blair leaves office with an honoured place in our history assured.
"Tony Blair leaves a priceless legacy of peace and agreement in Ireland. Our two governments forged an unprecedented partnership that made a real difference and achieved a transformation in the relationship between Britain and Ireland.
"Tony Blair has been a friend to Ireland. And I am proud also to count him as a friend of mine."
Northern Ireland
First Minister Ian Paisley:
"There were many issues on which we did not see eye to eye and indeed he kept me out of Downing Street for several years.
"Also unionists do not forget his failure to live up to promises in the early years. They believe he was too willing to offer concessions to republicans, which may have delayed the progress that has been achieved recently.
"There is no doubt, however, that the prime minister's concerted efforts helped in ultimately securing devolution in Northern Ireland."
Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein President:
"Tony Blair has made a significant and crucial contribution to the Irish peace process. The Good Friday Agreement and the restoration of the political institutions would not have been possible without him."
Japan
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe:
"Over 10 years, he achieved many things. He dealt with economic growth and also education reform, and had strong support from the British people."
Denmark
Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen:
"Britain has been under Tony Blair's leadership one of Denmark's closest international partners... working together in the EU or in international operations in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan."
Hungary
Socialist Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany:
"He greatly contributed to the transformation of Britain, that Britain today is again competitive, a country with a significant influence, and at the same time he left an indelible mark on the British left."
Netherlands
Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende:
"With Tony Blair's departure, a prominent leader disappears from the European and world stage."
"During tense moments, Blair was the binding force. Blair did not shrink from rowing against the current if he thought it was necessary."
NATO
NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
"Tony Blair was a leader with a capital L, not a politician who looks at opinion polls first and decides what he is going to do but a leader who leads and I think for me that is the most important feature I could mention about Tony Blair."
"Despite resistance he thought this was the right course for Great Britain and he did. We all know that Iraq caused a split in the Security Council and the European Union and NATO but, right or wrong, this was Tony Blair thinking that this was the way."
