Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi dies

August 21, 2012 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has died at the age of 57, state TV announced on Tuesday, ending months of speculations about his worsening health condition.

The Ethiopian prime minister has been absent from the public eye for over two months. He died at around 11.45 pm local time on Monday.

Zenawi has been sick for the last four months and was receiving medical treatment for two months in Europe for his undisclosed illness.

He was said to be recovering in the last two weeks and was expected to be back in office before the Ethiopian new-year on September 11.

However, his illness became worse in the past few days, leading to his death.

Sudan Tribune has learned that deputy prime minister and foreign affairs minister Hailemariam Desalegn will be the acting PM temporarily.

(ST)