Russia declares national mourning

Expressing sadness at the demise of Kaczyòski, his wife and others in the crash, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement, said, “"On behalf of the United Nations, the Secretary-General expresses his deep and heartfelt condolences to the people and Government of Poland and to the families of those who perished.”

“The Secretary-General said President Kaczyòski had served his country and people with distinction and conviction, and was deservedly respected internationally. That he died en route to an event marking a new level of reconciliation between Poland and Russia is particularly poignant,” the statement added.

A statement by NATO secretary general said, “On behalf of all of NATO, and myself personally, I express my most profound condolences to the people of Poland, and to the families of President and Mrs Kaczynski and all those who have died in this terrible accident. This is a tragedy for them and for Poland. My thoughts are with them today.”

U S President Barack Obama said, “Today's loss is devastating to Poland, to the United States, and to the world. President Kaczynski was a distinguished statesman who played a key role in the Solidarity movement, and he was widely admired in the United States as a leader dedicated to advancing freedom and human dignity.”

British Queen Elizabeth I, in her message, said, "It is with the deepest sorrow that I have learnt of the death of President Lech Kaczynski and First Lady Madame Kaczynska. I recall President Kaczynski's long and distinguished public service and his role in the Solidarity movement. The deaths of many other of Poland's leading figures, including former President in Exile Kaczorowski, only serve to deepen this tragedy.”
In a condolence message, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said, "I was shocked and saddened at the death of Polish President Lech Kaczynski and his wife Maria. President Kaczynski was one of the defining actors in Poland's modern political history.

From his role in the Solidarity movement to his long and distinguished career in public service -- including as Justice Minister, Mayor of Warsaw, and most recently as President of Poland -- he will mourned across the world and remembered as a passionate patriot and democrat. My thoughts are with his family and countrymen at this most difficult of times.”

Expressing ‘deep sadness’ at the news of the Polish premier’s death, French President Nicolas Sarkozy convened his sympathy to the families of the president and other victims.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in his condolence message, said, "We share in the profound grief of the Polish people over the loss of President Kaczynski, his wife and all of the members of the Polish delegation. I knew President Kaczynski as a Polish patriot, as a great friend of Israel and as a leader who was very active on behalf of his people and for advancing peace and prosperity in the world."

Expressing condolences on behalf of his nations, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said, "The Polish president was a good ally and friend of Afghanistan in fighting against terrorists.”

Meanwhile, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has declared one day national mourning on the death of the Polish premier, his wife and the Polish delegation.

“On behalf of the Russian people, I express the deepest, most heartfelt condolences to the Polish people, and compassion and support to the relatives and friends of the victims. On Monday, April 12, Russia will hold a national day of mourning.”

Lech Kaczyòski, who had served as President since 2005, died alongside his wife Maria and more than 90 others when their plane crashed as it approached an airport in the Russian city of Smolensk.

Media reports say Poland's army chief, its central bank governor and many leading parliamentarians and historians are also among the dead.

The Polish delegation had been travelling to Russia to attend a memorial event for the massacre of thousands of Poles by Soviet forces during World War II.