afrol News, 19 August - Zambian president Levy Mwanawasa died at a Paris hospital today, after having complications on Sunday night. Vice president Rupiah Banda, who is holding fort has announced on state television.

Mr Mwanawasa's health is reported to have deteriorated on Sunday night requiring urgent surgery on Monday in a Paris. Though the surgery was said to be a success, Mr Mwanawasa’s conditions remained serious.

President Mwanawasa who was elected in 2002 and was in the middle of a second four-year term, suffered stroke on 29 June on the eve of African Union meeting in Egypt. He was rushed to Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh hospital and was later transferred to Paris for treatment.

In July, Zambia's opposition called for an investigation into whether president was fit to lead the country. Mr Mwanawasa's health has always been an issue during his presidency, where he suffered a minor stroke in April 2006, four months before general elections.

Mr Mwanawasa, outspoken critic of Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, opposing his election on 27 June on country’s presidential run-off polls.

Mr Mwanawasa's stroke in Egypt was a blow to Zimbabwe's opposition having created expectations that Zimbabwean issues would be addressed at the summit. He was outspoken against violence, political and economic instability in Zimbabwe that contrasted with positions taken by other neighbours of Zimbabwe.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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