Former UN chief Javier Perez de Cuellar, who helped broker a cease-fire in the Iran-Iraq war, has died in his native Peru at age 100, his son said on March 5.
Perez de Cuellar served as UN secretary-general from 1981 to 1991.
Perez de Cuellar led the UN during a period marked by the eight-year war between Iran and Iraq, as well as the civil war in U.S.-supported El Salvador, which led to UN-mediated peace talks.
The UN chief also played a role in securing the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Afghanistan, and mediated Namibian independence from South Africa.
In addition, he helped end hostilities in Western Sahara as well as civil wars in Cambodia and Nicaragua.
He was president of the UN Security Council from 1973 to 1974 and was UN permanent representative in Cyprus from 1975 to 1977.
Current UN chief Antonio Guterres wished him "with pride & joy" a happy 100th birthday on January 19.
"On this momentous occasion, we at the UN draw on his example for inspiration & are deeply grateful for his many contributions and achievements as Secretary-General," Guterres wrote on Twitter.
Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and the BBC