Poland sends condolences to Israel after Ariel Sharon dies aged 85
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
12.01.2014 09:51
Poland's Foreign Ministry has described former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon, who died aged 85 on Saturday, as a "controversial but important" leader.
photo - PAP/EPA/KEVIN FRAYER/POOL
"Condolences to Israeli people on the death of former PM Ariel Sharon. He was controversial but important leader for Israel & the region," ministry spokesman Marcin Wojciechowski said in a statement released on Twitter.
Ariel Sharon died after being in a a coma since suffering a stroke at the height of his power as prime minister in January 2006.
He will be remembered for Israeli settlement-building on occupied land the Palestinians seek for a state but also with a shock decision to withdraw from the Gaza Strip in 2005.
US president Barack Obama called Sharon "a leader who dedicated his life to the state of Israel" and he sent his "deepest condolences" to the former prime minister's family.
The public will pay respects as Sharon's body lies in state, Sunday, before a private burial on Monday. (pg)
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