Zambia's President dies

LUSAKA (AFP) - President Levy Mwanawasa, a trenchant critic of Robert Mugabe who won praise for his handling of Zambia’s inflation-prone economy, died Tuesday in hospital in France aged 59.

Mwanawasa, who had been receiving treatment at the Percy Military Hospital near Paris, never recovered after suffering his second stroke in a little over two years at the end of June.

Announcing seven days of national mourning, acting head of state Vice-President Rupiah Banda told state television and radio that Mwanawasa died at 10:30 local time (0830 GMT).

“In order to prepare for the funeral, I suspend business of the house until further notice. Members will be informed as to when the House will resume business,” said Amussa Mwanamwambwa, the Speaker of the National Assembly.

Zambia’s 158-member parliament was adjourned indefinitely.