White House leads tribute to former NYC mayor Ed Koch

The White House has led tributes to former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, who has died at age 88.

In a statement, President Barack Obama called Koch an "extraordinary mayor, irrepressible character and quintessential New Yorker".

The brash, outspoken Koch had been in and out of hospital in recent months.

He became mayor in 1978 when New York was graffiti-marred and crime-ridden, and was credited with saving the city from near-bankruptcy.

He served three terms and afterwards remained active and popular, practising law, writing, and hosting a chat show.

"In public office and beyond, his energy, force of personality and commitment to causes ranging from civic issues to the security of the state of Israel always informed and enlivened the public discourse," Mr Obama said.