Reactions to Britain's vote to leave the European Union

The Associated Press:

"I will do everything I can as prime minister to steady the ship over the coming weeks and months, but I do not think it would be right for me to try to be the captain that steers the country to its next destination."

- British Prime Minister David Cameron, announcing his intention to resign.

 

"The dawn is breaking on an independent United Kingdom. Let June 23 go down in our history as our independence day!"

- Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Independence Party.

 

"It's true that the past years have been the most difficult ones in the history of our union, but I always remember what my father used to tell me: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger."

- EU President Donald Tusk, speaking to reporters in Brussels.

 

"We urge the authorities in the UK and Europe to work collaboratively to ensure a smooth transition to a new economic relationship."

- Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund.

 

"A victory for freedom. We now need the same referendum in France and in EU nations."

- French far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

 

"The British referendum will either serve as a wake-up call for the sleepwalker heading toward the void, or it will be the beginning of a very dangerous and slippery course for our peoples."

- Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

 

Britain's decision "is not the end of the world, and above all, not the end of the European Union."

- Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, on Facebook.

 

"The European Union is strong enough to give the right answers to today."

- German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking in Berlin.

 

"The British people defeated the political elite in Brussels and in London and now they are in charge again. Now it is our turn."

- Dutch right-wing politician Geert Wilders.

 

"The conclusion is: we need a new European treaty."

- Jaroslaw Kaczynski, leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice Party.

 

"We must do everything to avoid the domino effect, a situation when other member nations also say that they don't want to be in the European Union any longer."

- Polish President Andrzej Duda, speaking in Krakow.

 

"What matters now is that we keep Europe together."

- German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, speaking in Luxembourg.

 

"The people of the United Kingdom ... have declared their independence from the European Union and have voted to reassert control over their own politics, borders, and economy."

- Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican US

presidential nominee, on Facebook.