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Algeria decided to lower flags for eight days as from Friday, to mourn former South African President Nelson Mandela who passed away Thursday, the official APS agency reported.

At the age of 95, Nelson Mandela died at his home in Johannesburg surrounded by his family members, succumbing to a long illness, South African media reported.

"Our beloved Nelson Mandela, the founder of our republic has gone," announced the South African President Jacob Zuma on the state television.

Messages of condolence are still being sent by heads of states to pay tribute to one of this iconic personality who devoted his life to fight against apartheid.