Zambia mourns its president

Zambia's Parliament suspended its session, sporting events were canceled, even a doctors' strike was called off as the nation mourned its president.

Zambians wept on the streets of the capital as they received news of 59-year-old President Levy Mwanawasa's death on Tuesday in the French military hospital where he had been treated since suffering a stroke in June. It was not yet clear when Mwanawasa's body would be flown back to Zambia or when the funeral would be held.

The Zambian flag flew at half staff throughout the country yesterday, and radio and television stations replaced normal programs with messages of condolence. Among those aired was a message from the founding president of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda.