MANILA - United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and other foreign leaders have expressed sadness on the passing of former President Corazon Aquino, saying that she will always be remembered worldwide as a true symbol of democracy.

In a statement, Ban extended his condolences to the bereaved family of the late President, citing her "exceptional courage" and "pivotal role in the restoration and consolidation of democracy in the Philippines."

"Mrs. Aquino will be remembered as a beacon of democracy not only in the Philippines but also around the world," he said.

On the other hand, Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso thanked Aquino for strengthening ties between Japan and the Philippines for years.

"On behalf of the government and the people of Japan, I wish to reiterate our greatest respect for her contribution and extend my sincere condolences to the government and the people of the Philippines," Aso said in a statement.

This was echoed by Japan Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone and Japanese Ambassador Makoto Katsura, who commended her "contribution in the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and the Philippines."

"Upon learning of the demise of former President Corazon Aquino, I wish to extend my sincerest condolences," Nakasone said.

Wan Azizah, wife of Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, personally went to Aquino's wake on Sunday at De La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong City to pay her last respects to the former president.

“I feel deeply the loss not only for the Filipinos but for me personally,” she said. Wan Azizah is regarded by some political observers as Aquino's counterpart in Malaysia.

According to Aquino spokesperson Deedee Sytangco, East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta is also coming to the Philippines to attend the funeral.

United States President Barack Obama and other world figures have also paid tribute to Aquino as "an inspiration", while President Arroyo declared 10 days of mourning for the woman she described as a "national treasure".

Pope Benedict XVI, meanwhile, hailed the former president as a "woman of deep and unwavering faith" through her "courageous commitment to the freedom of the Filipino people" and "her firm rejection of violence and intolerance."

Aquino, who died from colon cancer, is set to be buried on Wednesday after a family-led ceremony in accordance to her wishes not to be given a state funeral. Schools across the country will be closed that day.

She will be laid to rest beside her husband, Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, who was assassinated in 1983 after he flew back to the Philippines from exile in Boston to seek an audience with former President Ferdinand Marcos. With a report from Agence France-Presse