MOSCOW, August 4, 2008 (AFP) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Monday hailed writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn as 'one of the greatest thinkers, writers and humanists' of the 20th century, the president's press office said.

'The passing of this great man, one of the greatest thinkers, writers and humanists of the 20th century, is an irreplaceable loss for Russia and the whole world,' Medvedev told the writer's family in a telegram.

'Alexander Isayevich's entire life was devoted to the fatherland. He served the fatherland like a genuine citizen and patriot and he felt with his whole heart for the fate of the Russian people, for justice in the country,' he said.

'Alexander Isayevich's constant concern was the formation of moral and spiritual ideals. He believed they were the strongest support for the state and society and he fought for their triumph,' he added.

Solzhenitsyn died at his Moscow home late Sunday at the age of 89.