| Zambia's president dead at 59 |
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| Saturday, 23 August 2008 10:22 | |||
 Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa succumbed to his illness in a French
hospital on Tuesday at 59. Mwanawasa, who was hospitalized for a stroke
two months ago, was known for his anti-corruption stance."It is with deep sorrow that I have to tell the people of Zambia that our president ... has passed away this morning," Vice President Rupiah Banda said on radio and television, announcing a weeklong period of national mourning. Though the vice president did not disclose the cause of death, he said Mwanawasa had gotten worse on Monday. Mwanawasa collapsed on June 30 a day before the African Union summit in Egypt and was taken to Percy Military Hospital in Paris. According to reports, French President Nicolas Sarkozy described his death as "a great loss for the African continent" and for democracy. According to the constitution, elections are supposed to be held in 90 days, leaving a power gap in Zambia until then.
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| Last Updated on Saturday, 23 August 2008 10:24 |
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