United Nations Radio

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has conveyed his profound condolences to the family of President Levy Mwanawasa of Zambia(photo) as well as the people and Government of Zambia on the death of their president. ~~

The Zambian leader died in a Paris hospital today after suffering a stroke in June.

In a statement read by spokesman Farhan Haq, the Secretary-General said he was deeply saddened to learn of the death of President Mwanawasa who was also the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community, or SADC.

"As Vice-President and later President, Mr. Mwanawasa was at the forefront of Zambian politics at a time of exceptional challenges and change in his country and in the southern African region as a whole. His periods in office ranged from Zambia's crucial role in the struggle to end apartheid in South Africa, to his firm stance, as SADC Chairman, on the post-election crisis in Zimbabwe. In the latter context, the Secretary-General greatly valued his frequent interaction with him over the past few months."

The Secretary-General said he wished the people of Zambia and the region courage and fortitude in the time ahead.

This is Dianne Penn for UN Radio.

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