UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said on Monday that he was "shocked and deeply saddened" by the sudden passing of World Health Organization Director-General Lee Jong-wook of South Korea.

"This sudden loss of a leader, colleague and friend is truly devastating," Annan said in a tribute to Lee, who died earlier in the day after a short illness, as the World Health Assembly opened its annual meeting in Geneva.

Annan, who is currently on a trip to Asia, recalled that he spoke with Lee just a few days ago. "Our conversation touched upon WHO's long-running efforts to tackle the global challenge of HIV/AIDS -- an area that he was particularly committed to -- as well as the Roll Back Malaria campaign," he said in the tribute, which was released in New York.

"Dr. Lee took over the reins of WHO in the wake of the SARS outbreak of 2003, and had been working energetically to strengthen the organization further in its global public health responsibilities," Annan said.

"He was at the forefront of the global fight to prevent an avian flu pandemic, and was a champion as well in the battle against a host of other public health threats from HIV/AIDS to tuberculosis." he added.

Annan extended his condolences to Lee's family, WHO staff and to the entire UN family.

Lee, who became head of the 192-member WHO in July 2003 succeeding former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, had been in hospital in Geneva since Saturday afternoon, when he underwent surgery to remove a blood clot on his brain. He remained in intensive care and was declared dead early on Monday morning.

Anders Nordstrom, currently assistant director-general for general management, will serve as acting director-general.

Source: Xinhua