President of Zambia has Died

ambia's leader Levy Mwanawasa, 59, has died in a Paris hospital after suffering a stroke in June.

Vice-President Rupiah Banda, who is expected to take over as acting leader, made the announcement on state TV.

President Mwanawasa suffered a stroke at an African Union summit in Egypt and was then flown to France, where he had remained in hospital.

He came to prominence recently for being one of the African leaders most critical of the violence in Zimbabwe.

Mr Mwanawasa's health was an issue during his presidency.

In April 2006, he suffered a minor stroke four months before general elections.

bbc

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