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| Nelson Mandela statue is unveiled | Nelson Mandela statue is unveiled |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela has been unveiled in London. | A statue of former South African President Nelson Mandela has been unveiled in London. |
| Mr Mandela, 89, his wife Graca Machel, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown were among those at the unveiling in Parliament Square. | Mr Mandela, 89, his wife Graca Machel, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown were among those at the unveiling in Parliament Square. |
| Mr Brown hailed Mr Mandela as the "greatest and most courageous leader of our generation". | Mr Brown hailed Mr Mandela as the "greatest and most courageous leader of our generation". |
| The late South African anti-apartheid activist Donald Woods had the idea for the 9ft-high (2.7m) bronze statue. | The late South African anti-apartheid activist Donald Woods had the idea for the 9ft-high (2.7m) bronze statue. |
| Talking to crowds who gathered for the unveiling, Mr Mandela said: "Though this statue is of one man, it should in actual fact symbolise all of those who have resisted oppression, especially in my country." | Talking to crowds who gathered for the unveiling, Mr Mandela said: "Though this statue is of one man, it should in actual fact symbolise all of those who have resisted oppression, especially in my country." |
| Happier lives | Happier lives |
| Lord Richard Attenborough, trustee of the Mandela Statue Fund, introduced Mr Mandela at the unveiling and spoke of Mr Woods's "bravery". | Lord Richard Attenborough, trustee of the Mandela Statue Fund, introduced Mr Mandela at the unveiling and spoke of Mr Woods's "bravery". |
| "He fled his country with his wife and five children and came here as a refugee, thrown out by the apartheid system," said Lord Attenborough. | "He fled his country with his wife and five children and came here as a refugee, thrown out by the apartheid system," said Lord Attenborough. |
| Large crowds gathered in Parliament Square for the statue unveiling | |
| "He would have given anything to have been here today because it was his concept." | "He would have given anything to have been here today because it was his concept." |
| Wendy Woods, wife of the late Donald Woods, said: "This statue will remind the world of the human qualities that Mr Mandela has. | Wendy Woods, wife of the late Donald Woods, said: "This statue will remind the world of the human qualities that Mr Mandela has. |
| "These are qualities which have helped South Africa put paid to its past and helped us on our first step towards a future where all people can flourish and lead happier lives." | "These are qualities which have helped South Africa put paid to its past and helped us on our first step towards a future where all people can flourish and lead happier lives." |
| Dogged by arguments | Dogged by arguments |
| The statue had been dogged by arguments over where it should go as well as its artistic merit. | The statue had been dogged by arguments over where it should go as well as its artistic merit. |
| Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who was also at the ceremony, had wanted it to stand on the north side of Trafalgar Square. | Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who was also at the ceremony, had wanted it to stand on the north side of Trafalgar Square. |
| However, in 2005 Westminster Council refused permission saying it would clutter the space needed for large events. | However, in 2005 Westminster Council refused permission saying it would clutter the space needed for large events. |
| It was finally agreed the statue should face the Houses of Parliament, and stand alongside images of other great leaders such as Winston Churchill, Benjamin Disraeli and Abraham Lincoln. | It was finally agreed the statue should face the Houses of Parliament, and stand alongside images of other great leaders such as Winston Churchill, Benjamin Disraeli and Abraham Lincoln. |
| "Long after we are forgotten, you will be remembered for having taught the world one amazing truth," said Mr Livingstone. | "Long after we are forgotten, you will be remembered for having taught the world one amazing truth," said Mr Livingstone. |
| "That you can achieve justice without vengeance. I honour you and London honours you." | "That you can achieve justice without vengeance. I honour you and London honours you." |