What they said

"The man had a command and presence. He filled the room ... he was indomitable ... Like all historic leaders, all real leaders, he had a North Star that guided him."

Joe Biden, US Vice-President

"Arik was a man of actions, pragmatic, and his pragmatism was rooted in deep emotion, deep emotion for the country and deep emotion for the Jewish people."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, referring to Sharon by his popular nickname, Arik

"You were the shoulder on which Israel's security rested. The story of your life is bound to the story of this country."

Shimon Peres, Israeli President

"The idea that he changed from the man of war to the man of peace misses that which defined him. Actually, he never changed. His strategic objective never wavered. The state which from the age of 14 he fought to bring into being had to be protected for future generations. When that meant fighting, he fought. When that meant making peace, he sought peace."

Tony Blair, former British prime minister

(China Daily 01/14/2014 page12)