• US Senator Lindsey Graham died at the age of 71 on Saturday evening.
• He passed away due to a "brief and sudden illness" according to his office.
• Graham was a prominent figure in politics, serving as a close ally of former President Trump.
• Tributes from world leaders and political figures highlight his influence and commitment to various causes.

United States Senator Lindsey Graham died on Saturday evening at the age of 71 after a "brief and sudden illness," as confirmed by his office in a statement on social media. Graham's family has requested privacy during this challenging time, expressing their appreciation for the prayers they have received, according to Channel News Asia and Al Jazeera.

Graham, who was a significant Republican figure from South Carolina, had a long career in politics, being first elected to the House in 1994 before moving to the Senate in 2002. He was known for his hawkish foreign policy stances and staunch support of military interventions, especially in defense of Ukraine and Israel, according to India Times and BBC.

Tributes poured in from various leaders and colleagues following Graham's passing. Former President Trump described him as "one of the greatest people and senators" he had known. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy remarked on Graham's dedication to the fight for freedom and noted that he visited Ukraine ten times during the ongoing conflict, highlighting his significant contributions during challenging times, said CBS News and Al Jazeera.

As a known ally of Israel and a vocal critic of Iranian policies, Graham actively supported efforts to strengthen US-Israel relations and advocated for military aid to Ukraine which further defined his political legacy. He was recently involved in bipartisan efforts to secure sanctions against Russia, as per NPR and Los Angeles Times.

Graham's career was marked by a complex relationship with former President Trump, transitioning from a critic to a stalwart ally, influencing GOP policies on foreign affairs and military strategies. His recent endeavors included promoting US military support for Ukraine, as mentioned in Le Monde and Al Jazeera.