Jacques Chirac, the former French president whose later years were blighted by corruption scandals, has died aged 86.
"President Jacques Chirac died this morning surrounded by his family, peacefully," his son-in-law told the French news agency AFP.
Mr Chirac served two terms as French president and took his country into the single European currency.
The French National Assembly observed a minute's silence in his memory.
Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission and former Luxembourg premier, said he was "moved and devastated" to learn the news.
"Europe is not only losing a great statesman, but the president is losing a great friend," Mr Junker said in a statement.
Corruption conviction
Chirac was born in 1932, the son of a bank manager. He served as head of state from 1995 to 2007 - making him France's second longest-serving post-war president after his Socialist predecessor Francois Mitterrand. His health steadily deteriorated after he stepped down until his death on Thursday.
Chirac also served as the French prime minister but was beset by a series of corruption scandals. In 2011, he was convicted of diverting public funds while serving as the mayor of Paris.
Among his major domestic political reforms was a reduction of the presidential term of office from seven to five years.
He moved from anti-European Gaullism to championing a European Union constitution that was then rejected by French voters.
In 2003, he was as the focus of opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. In 2005, he suffered a stroke, and in 2014, his wife Bernadette said he would no longer speak in public, noting he had memory trouble.
Latest Stories
-
IGP shares Easter safety tips on Adom FM’s ‘Ofie Kwanso’
14 mins -
Ebo Whyte offers fully-funded trip as he unveils new play ‘Dubai or No Sex’
26 mins -
Ancient culture of Anlo Kingdom: Exploring “Torkor Atorlia,” the fifth landing stage’s old ways of punishment
41 mins -
Leaders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Botswana, Cameroon and Sierra Leone to lead discussions at Africa Finance Corporation’s (AFC) 4th Country & Stakeholder Symposium
1 hour -
Network International Delivers Strong 2023 Revenue growth at 15% y/y and free cashflow growth of 16% y/y
1 hour -
President Akufo-Addo extends Easter Greetings to Ghanaians, urges safe drive
1 hour -
Government pushes for use of more local materials in housing, other infrastructure projects
2 hours -
Dr Bawumia extends Easter greetings to Christians
2 hours -
CAF Confederation Cup: ‘Ghanaians should expect victory against Stade Malien’ – Dreams FC forward Ishmael Dede
3 hours -
CAF Confederation Cup: ‘We want to go there and win’ – Karim Zito on Stade Malian clash
3 hours -
Togbe Adzie Lãkle Howusu XII endorses youth leadership as New Force Movement gains momentum
4 hours -
Public Utility Workers Union appeals to PURC to address power crisis
4 hours -
Anbariya loses another appeal in Kumasi as Appeal Court ratifies High Court ruling against the Islamic Institute
4 hours -
Highway construction health hazard: Ofankor-Pokuase-Nsawam residents appeal for dust relief
4 hours -
SuperJazzClub releases its first single of the year ‘Off’
4 hours