World leaders are praising Colin Powell as a superior diplomat, following his announcement that he will resign as US Secretary of State.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair called Mr. Powell a "remarkable man" who has been a good friend to Britain for a long time.
In New York, a spokesman for United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan said Mr. Annan had a strong relationship with Mr. Powell. The spokesman said Mr. Annan particularly appreciated Mr. Powell's support for multilateral approaches to problem-solving.
German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said his country's relationship with Mr. Powell was friendly and cooperative. Relations between Germany and the United States hit a low note over Germany's opposition to the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said Mr. Powell had gained the "deepest respect" of Palestinian leaders.