MANILA, Philippines?US President Barack Obama and other world leaders expressed sadness at the death of former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, describing her as a historic figure who helped restore democracy to her country.

Obama ?was deeply saddened? by news of Aquino?s death, read a statement late Friday from White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

Aquino ?played a crucial role in Philippines history,? moving the country to democratic rule through her nonviolent ?People Power? movement over 20 years ago.

?Her courage, determination, and moral leadership are an inspiration to us all and exemplify the best in the Filipino nation. On behalf of the American people, the President extends his deepest condolences to the Aquino family and the nation of the Philippines,? the statement read.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton hailed Aquino as an inspiration.

?I extend my deepest condolences to the Aquino family and all the people of the Philippines on the death of former President Corazon Aquino,? Clinton said in a statement.

?Cory Aquino was beloved by her nation and admired by the world for her extraordinary courage after the assassination of her husband, and later, during her service as president.

?She helped bring democracy back to the Philippines after many years of authoritarian rule with a faith in her country and its people that never wavered,? the secretary of state said.

Inspiration

Clinton, a onetime first lady who narrowly lost a bid last year to become her Democratic Party?s nomination for president, said Aquino served as an inspiration to her and her husband, former President Bill Clinton.

Manila is a longstanding Washington ally in Southeast Asia, and President Macapagal-Arroyo is the region?s first leader to visit the White House since Obama?s January inauguration.

Chinese people shocked
Saying the Chinese people were shocked at the death of Aquino, President Hu Jintao last night extended the condolences of his people to the late Philippine president?s family and the Filipinos.

In a statement sent by the Chinese Embassy in Manila and addressed to Ms Arroyo, Hu said that Ms Aquino was an outstanding leader of the Philippines and a good friend of the Chinese people.

He said that during the Aquino presidency, she made significant contributions to the development and prosperity of the Philippines and the growth of China-Philippine relations.

?On behalf of the Government of the People?s Republic of China, the Chinese people and on my own behalf, I would like to extend to Your Excellency and, through you, to Madame Aquino?s family members my deepest condolences and sincerest sympathy,? Hu said.

The Chinese Embassy said: ?The Philippines lost an inspiring statesman while China, in sharp grief, bereaved of a sincere friend.?

?Her vision would be remembered and her contribution would be long cherished by China and the Chinese people. May she rest in peace,? it said.

Courageous

Ambassador Alistar MacDonald, head of the European Commission delegation to the Philippines, said the European Union said the former President was noble and courageous even in the face of death.

?In 1986, President Aquino became a beacon of democracy in the Philippines, and an inspiration for many others around the world. Throughout her presidential term, and notwithstanding a number of severe challenges, she never flinched in her determination to ensure that the Philippines would not veer from its democratic path,? MacDonald said.

Ivan Lewis, British Foreign Office minister of state, in a statement issued by the British Embassy in Manila, said the British government joined the rest of the world in mourning the death of an icon.

Former Foreign Office Minister Lord Malloch Brown, who worked closely with Aquino during her election campaign, said he received the news of her death with great sadness.

Life?s lesson in courage

?As an advisor in her campaign against President Marcos, the privilege of working with Cory and watching her was one of my life?s greatest lessons in courage, leadership, the art of politics and humanity. The way she and all her family made such friends of me as an outsider is something I have always treasured,? Brown said.

For his part, British Ambassador Peter Beckingham said he would cherish the honor of meeting Aquino on several occasions when he discussed her visits to London and her interests in the Filipino community in Britain.

?Those discussions left me with an overwhelming sense of her grace, charisma and compassion. The Philippines has lost a wonderful leader who is widely admired in Britain for her courage and inspiration,? Beckingham said. Reports from Cynthia D. Balana and Agence France-Presse