Paris, France - President Bacai Sanha of Guinea Bissau died Monday at the Val de Grâce hospital in Paris, a French government source told PANA here.

President Sanha, 64, was elected in July 2009 but has been in and out of hospital for an undisclosed ailment since then.

On 26 December, the head of the country's navy, Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto, attacked the headquarters of the Armed Forces in what analysts called a military coup attempt, apparently taking advantage of the President's prolonged absence.

Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea Bissau has witnessed many coups and mutinies.

Pana 09/01/2012