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Zambian president dies in Paris

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-19 23:58

LUSAKA -- Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa has died in the Percy Military Hospital in Paris after being hospitalized there for more than a month, Vice President Rupiah Banda said Tuesday.

This undated file photo shows the picture of the Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa.  The condition of Zambian President Levy Patrick Mwanawasa had been making steady progress until Sunday night when his condition suddenly changed and required urgent intervention, Vice President Rupiah Banda said Monday. [Xinhua]

Banda said on television that Mwanawasa died at 10:30 a.m. (0830 GMT) Tuesday.

Banda appealed to his fellow citizens to remain calm and announced that Zambia will observe a seven-day mourning from Tuesday.

Mwanawasa, who would turn 60 in several months, suffered a stroke on June 29 in Sharm-el-Sheik, Egypt, where he was to attend the African Union summit.

He was admitted into Sharm-el-Sheik International Hospital and transferred on July 1 to the Percy Military Hospital in Paris.

The president's condition suddenly worsened Sunday night, Banda said here Monday.

According to the Zambian Constitution, a presidential election is to be called within 90 days if the president dies in office.