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Reactions from celebrities and politicians on Britain's vote to leave EU

By Liu Jing and Yan Dongjie (chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2016-06-24 21:33

Eamon Ryan, leader of the Irish Green Party: Brexit a sickening blow. Undermines all our future security. Irish Government has a special responsibility now, to try and minimize the damage.

French far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen: Victory for freedom! Now it was time for a referendum in France and elsewhere in the EU.

Donald Tusk, the president of the European council: There's no hiding the fact that we wanted a different outcome of yesterday's referendum. I am fully aware of how serious, or even dramatic, this moment is politically. And there's no way of predicting all the political consequences of this event, especially for the UK. It is a historic moment but for sure not a moment for hysterical reactions. I want to reassure everyone that we are prepared also for this negative scenario. As you know the EU is not only a fair-weather project.

EU Parliament President Martin Schulz: The United Kingdom since 40 years was wavering to be a fully-fledged member or not. Now we have clarity for the United Kingdom to go on their own way.

Geert Wilders, Dutch Freedom Party leader: Hurrah for the British! Now it is our turn. Time for a Dutch referendum!

Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right Front National (FN) in France: Victory for freedom! As I have been asking for years, now we need to have the same referendum in France and in the countries of the EU.

Mateo Salvini, leader of Italy's anti-immigration Northern League: Hurrah for the courage of free citizens! Heart, brain and pride defeated lies, threats and blackmail. THANK YOU UK, now it's our turn.

Charles Michel, Belgian Prime Minister: EU members should meet to define priorities and set out a new future for Europe.

The Irish government: This result clearly has very significant implications for Ireland, as well as for Britain and for the European Union. The government will meet later this morning to reflect on the result.

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