Global tributes to Polish president Lech Kaczynski following fatal air crash

World leaders have paid tribute to Polish president Lech Kaczynski following his death in a plane crash this morning. British prime minister Gordon Brown was joined in his condolences by the Queen, who sent her "deepest sympathy" to the people of Poland. She said: "On this sad occasion I recall President Kaczynski's long and distinguished public service and his role in the Solidarity movement. The deaths of many other of Poland's leading figures only serve to deepen this tragedy." President Barack Obama rang Polish prime minister Donald Tusk to express his condolences: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kaczynski family, the loved ones of those killed in this tragic plane crash, and the Polish nation," he said. Russian president Dmitry Medvedev offered his support to Poland, saying: "On this difficult day the people of Russia stand with the Polish people." Conservative leader David Cameron said: "I think the whole world will be saddened and in sorrow as a result of the tragic death of President Kaczynski and his wife Maria." French president Nicolas Sarkozy paid tribute to Kaczynski's devotion to his country, and the way he "always battled with conviction for the values that founded his entry into politics: democracy, liberty and the fight against totalitarianism". Nato secretary general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said: "On behalf of all of Nato, and myself personally, I express my most profound condolences to the people of Poland, and to the families of President and Mrs Kaczynski and all those who have died in this terrible accident. This is a tragedy for them and for Poland. My thoughts are with them today." Sweden's prime minister Fredrik Reinfeldt described the crash as a "great catastrophe for our neighbouring country". German Chancellor Angela Merkel was also among those to express their sorrow at news of the crash.