Former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has died aged 80.

The Ghanaian diplomat served as the UN chief for almost a decade and in 2001 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Annan passed away in the Swiss capital Bern on 18 August after a short illness.

Last September, Annan told the Athens Democracy Forum: "Democratic freedoms have been in decline for 11 consecutive years," adding that election turnout is low, which shows that people’s trust in political parties and institutions is diminishing.

"We must cherish and protect democracy, or it’ll be lost for future generations," he added, noting the need to be vigilant.

Annan’s name was given to the 2004 peace plan proposed for the divided island of Cyprus. It would have seen a reunified Cyprus of two states in a federation. In a referendum, the plan was approved by most Turkish Cypriots but was rejected by the Greek Cypriot community.

Greek Tribune