Tributes paid as ex-Israeli PM Ariel Sharon dies aged 85

 Mixed reaction to death of divisive ex-general who had been in a coma for eight years

Ariel Sharon: died today after eight years in a coma. Photograph: Reuters

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   US president Barack Obama was among world leaders to pay tribute to the former Israeli general and prime minister Ariel Sharon who died today aged 85 after he had been in a coma for eight years.

Mr Obama said he joined Israelis in honouring Sharon’s commitment to Israel and he affirmed traditional US support for Israel’s security.

“Arik was a valorous soldier and a bold statesman who contributed much to the security and building up of the State of Israel,” said Israeli president Shimon Peres, a former political ally of Sharon and, with the ex-premier’s death, the last of the Jewish state’s founders still in public life.

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“Arik loved his people and his people loved him,” Mr Peres said, using the nickname of Sharon, a famously burly and blunt figure with a prizefighter’s rolling gait. “He knew no fear and never feared pursuing a vision.”

An Israeli official said Sharon’s remains would lie in state in parliament in Jerusalem on Sunday. A memorial service will be held there on Monday morning, followed by an afternoon funeral near Sycamore Farm, Sharon’s residence in southern Israel.

Among foreign dignitaries expected to attend areUS vice president Joe Biden, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov and former British prime minister Tony Blair, the official said.

The death of Sharon, who entered a coma after suffering a stroke at the height of his power was announced by his son Gilad at the hospital near Tel Aviv where his father had been treated. “He has gone. He went when he decided to go.”

Doctors there had predicted his imminent death after his health declined sharply last week.

Hospital spokesman Dr Shlomo Noy said: “The Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer announces with sorrow the death of Mr Ariel Sharon who passed about an hour ago.”

He said that during the years Mr Sharon had been treated, his condition was defined as “minimal consciousness” and he had had “ups and downs”.

“Today his heart weakened and he peacefully departed from his family who were always at his side with love and support.”

There was mixed reaction from world leaders and others to the death of Sharon who was both admired and despised for his bold style and hard-driving tactics.

“Ariel Sharon is one of the most significant figures in Israeli history and as prime minister he took brave and controversial decisions in pursuit of peace, before he was so tragically incapacitated. Israel has today lost an important leader.” British prime minister David Cameron said.