With moist eyes and tributes on their lips, people across the world today mourned the death of global anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela, hailed as a "true Gandhian" and an inspiration for millions like US President Barack Obama.

The Elders, a group of global leaders set up by Mandela to pursue peace and human rights, said they "join millions of people around the world who were inspired by his courage and touched by his compassion".

The group's chair, Kofi Annan, said the world had lost "a clear moral compass".

British Prime Minister David Cameron paid a rich tribute to Mandela, saying, "the brightest light of our world has gone out".

Chinese President Xi Jinping praised Nelson Mandela's "historic contribution" to South Africa and the world.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott offered condolences to the Mandela family on behalf of the Australian government and community.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde hailed Mandela as a "courageous and visionary leader".

France's president, Franois Hollande, said: "Nelson Mandela made history, that of South Africa and that of the whole world. A tireless fighter against apartheid, he defeated it with his courage, his obstinacy and his perseverance."

Israeli President Shimon Peres, praised Mandela's contribution to peace, saying, "He was a passionate advocate for democracy, a respected mediator, a Nobel peace prize laureate and above all a builder of bridges of peace and dialogue who paid a heavy personal price for his struggle in
the years he spent in prison and fighting for his people."

Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, described Mandela as a "great leader" who "fought with a strong will to eliminate apartheid and achieved a great deal by putting national reconciliation at the centre of his nation-building".

Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi paid tribute to Mandela as a "great human being" who inspired others to change the world.