From correspondents in Africa, 09:30 PM IST

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

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 would observe a seven-day mourning from Tuesday.

Mwanawasa, who was around 60 years of age, 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.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)