Tributes to Genscher from home and abroad

The current head of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), Genscher's former party, was among the first to respond on Friday following the announcement of the former foreign minister's death.

"We are thankful for his political life's work, which he performed in the service of German and European unity, as well as the liberal ideas of freedom and progress," Christian Lindner said.

President Joachim Gauck called Genscher "an outstanding personality in the history of our country."

"With his reliability and his diplomatic skills, Hans-Dietrich Genscher gave our country a face in the world and helped to strengthen the confidence of our partners," Gauck added.

Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier praised his predecessor as a great German and a great European.

"During his long and active life, Genscher literally wrote history, the history of our country, of Germany, as well as the history of Europe," Steinmeier said. "The end of the division of Germany and of Europe was for him a lifelong task."

'I have lost a friend'

Outside of Germany, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault honored Genscher as "one of the architects of German reunification, who left his mark on this important chapter in European history with his political and humanitarian qualities."

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said Genscher "played a special role in the reunification of Germany, the construction of the EU and the development of a peaceful international order."

"I'll miss a valued and long-standing friend," Kissinger said.

Meanwhile, former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said he "lost a friend" with the passing of Genscher.

"People say that you cannot have any friends in politics," Gorbachev said. "That's not true … Hans-Dietrich Genscher was my real friend in recent years. I have lost a friend."

A 'superhero' diplomat

German diplomats around the world also paid tribute to the late statesman, including Peter Wittig, ambassador to the US, Peter Prügel, ambassador to Thailand and Walter J. Lindner, ambassador to South Africa.

Known for his relentless diplomacy throughout the Cold War, Genscher was characterized as a Batman-like superhero by a German cartoonist in the 80s.

ls, blc/tj (dpa, Reuters, AFP)